This session will cover “best practices” in the evaluation of students suspected of having Emotional Disturbance (ED) and how to rule out Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other educational eligibilities as part of the evaluation process. Participants will learn how to use a checklist that was designed in relation to the various criteria in the definition of ED and allows school-based team teams a systematic approach as part of the decision-making process for identifying students as eligible under the IDEA Classification of Emotional Disturbance (ED). Various recent court decisions will also be covered related to students with ED that may impact the evaluation process.