What special education eligibility category does Ethan best fit based on his behavior?

Ethan fits best in the emotional/behavioral disorder category because this classification specifically addresses students who exhibit significant emotional or behavioral difficulties that adversely affect their educational performance. This could include issues such as anxiety, depression, or disruptive behavior patterns, which may impede learning and social interactions.

When considering the other categories, they do not fully encompass the behavioral concerns that Ethan is likely facing. A learning disability is typically related to difficulties in specific academic skills, such as reading or mathematics, rather than overall emotional or behavioral functioning. Speech or language impairments focus on communication difficulties, which may not capture the broader behavioral issues. An intellectual disability involves limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which does not specifically address emotional or behavioral challenges. Thus, the emotional/behavioral disorder category is the most appropriate fit for Ethan, given the focus on behavioral difficulties impacting his schooling.