Emotional Health Assessment in Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

The article focuses on the challenges and strategies for assessing and supporting emotional health in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who are at increased risk for psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Due to communication differences and atypical behavioral presentations, emotional distress in these students is often overlooked or misinterpreted, complicating diagnosis and treatment. School nurses play a critical role in using specialized assessment tools, clinical judgment, and interdisciplinary collaboration to identify emotional pain and advocate for equitable mental health evaluations and services. The article emphasizes the importance of mindful activities, positive behavioral supports, and education for caregivers to promote emotional wellness and address both psychological and physiological needs in students with IDD.