Which of the following is classified as an emotional disturbance?

• A. Diabetes
• B. Asthma
• C. Schizophrenia
• D. Nephritis

Answer: (C)

Emotional disturbance is defined in educational contexts as a condition that significantly impacts a child's educational performance and is characterized by various emotional or behavioral difficulties. Schizophrenia fits this definition as it is a serious mental disorder that can severely disrupt thinking, communication, emotions, and behavior. Individuals with schizophrenia may face challenges in social interactions and academic performance, thus qualifying it as an emotional disturbance under special education criteria.

In contrast, diabetes, asthma, and nephritis are primarily physical health conditions. While they may lead to emotional or social challenges, they do not inherently involve the psychological or emotional dysfunction characteristic of emotional disturbances in the context of special education classifications. Therefore, these conditions do not meet the criteria used to classify a child as having an emotional disturbance.