This paper presents the results of a small preliminary investigation of the moral judgment of three children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) using case study research methodology to describe their moral orientations and explore how their reasoning patterns might affect the development of a cooperative moral orientation. Data were gathered using a moral dilemma interview protocol developed specifically for the study. Results showed that all three of the children valued punishment because it defines right from wrong and coerces obedience, but they also reasoned that avoiding punishment can sometimes motivate people to do that which they know they should not. The implications of the results are discussed with respect to the overuse of punishment, the placement of children with EBD in highly restrictive special education settings, and the potential social cognitive benefits of using positive behavioral supports to include students with EBD in the classroom community. (Contains 4 tables.)