Which characteristic does not qualify a child for special education services under the category of emotional disturbance?

Social maladjustment is a characteristic that does not qualify a child for special education services under the category of emotional disturbance. This distinction is important because emotional disturbance, as defined in special education law, refers specifically to conditions that adversely affect a child's educational performance, such as the inability to learn, inappropriate behaviors, or interpersonal difficulties stemming from emotional problems.

Social maladjustment, on the other hand, refers to a child's difficulty in conforming to social norms or expectations but does not necessarily arise from an emotional disturbance. A child who is socially maladjusted may not have an underlying emotional issue that impedes their learning or behavior in a way that is recognized for special education services. This is why recognizing the distinction between social maladjustment and true emotional disturbances is crucial in the educational diagnosis process.