It is easy to overlook the withdrawn pupil whose needs may be just as great as those of the aggressive, disruptive child.  The following are some of the characteristics exhibited by pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The withdrawn child

• expressionless, but deeply unhappy
• over-sensitive to any criticism - unable to tolerate teasing or personal remarks
• low self-esteem
• anxious to conform
• lacks interest in work and under-achieves, but may exhibit obsessive behaviour or an all-absorbing interest in a particular hobby or topic
• may be the victim of bullying and try to avoid coming to school
• a loner, who is ignored by other children rather than being actively disliked
• unable to form close relationships and ill-at-ease in social situations

The aggressive child

• noisy and demanding, wants own way and immediate attention
• poor concentration
• verbally and physically aggressive; will hit out, push, punch and kick, and could be a bully
• shouts out in class and is disruptive
• wanders about and is disobedient
• uses unacceptable language
• disregards rules
• under-achieves
• may truant

The disaffected child

• uninterested in school work
• unmotivated
• fails to complete homework regularly or on time
• unimpressed by school rules, particularly those relating to appearance
• lacks consideration for others
• may truant
  
  Pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties have sometimes been described as being unlovable and unloved.  Indeed, it seems fair to assume that they become less loveable because they feel unloved.  They make it hard for school staff to build up relationships with them yet opening positive channels of communication is the main way of reaching them.  It takes time and patience to communicate with an uncommunicative pupil, or to try to understand the disturbed child who, in turn, disturbs the whole class.   It is far from easy to strike up a rapport with troubled and troublesome children; even if teachers make the effort, they may not always succeed, but at least they will have given these difficult children a better chance of making a success of their education.