The First level of the Crisis Development Behavior Levels
What is Anxiety? (A noticeable increase or change in behavior; e.g. pacing, fidgeting, picking skin, staring). Page 7
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Anxiety
What is Supportive? An empathic, nonjudgmental approach attempting to alleviate anxiety.
The First stage of the Verbal Escalation Continuum?
What is Questioning?
A. Information seeking: A Rational Question seeking a rational response.
B. Challenging: Questioning authority or being evasive. attempting to draw staff into a power struggle . PAGE 9
The Staff Approach for when a student asking Information-Seeking or Challenging Questions (Verbal Escalation Continuum).
Give a Rational Response
Stick to the topic (redirect), ignore the challenge (not the person), or set limits if the individual persists.
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The Second level of the Crisis Development Behavior Levels
What is Defensive? The beginning stage of loss of rationality. At this stage, an individual often become belligerent and challenges authority. (Defiant, Refusal) Page 7
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Defensive behaviors, according to the crisis development model.
What is Directive? An approach in which a staff members takes control of a potentially escalating situation. Page 7
The Second stage of the Verbal Escalation Continuum?
What is Refusal? Noncompliance, slight loss of rationalization. PAGE 9
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Refusal (Verbal Escalation Continuum).
Set Limits
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The Third level of the Crisis Development Behavior Levels
What is an Acting-out person? The total loss of control, which results in a physical acting-out episode (Hitting, kicking, throwing items, self harm) Page 7
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Acting-Out Person behaviors, according to the crisis development model.
What is Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention? Safe, non harmful control and restraint positions to safely control an individual until he can regain control of his behavior. These techniques should be utilized as a LAST RESORT, when an individual presents a denier to self or others. (CPI Children’s Control, CPI Team Control) Page 7
The Third stage of the Verbal Escalation Continuum?
What is Release? Emotional outburst, loss of rationalization, blowing off steam, screaming, swearing. PAGE 9
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Release (Verbal Escalation Continuum).
All the individual to let off steam, if possible. Remove audience or the acting-out individual from the area. When the individual begins to quiet down, state directives that are nonthreatening. Use an understanding , reasonable approach. Be prepared to enforce any limits you set.
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The Fourth level of the Crisis Development Behavior Levels
What is Tension reduction? A decrease in physical and emotional energy that occurs after a person has acted out, characterized by the regaining of rationality. Page 7
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Tension Reduction behaviors, according to the crisis development model.
What is Therapeutic Rapport? An approach used to re-establish communication with an individual who is experiencing tension reduction. By going through Therapeutic Rapport, we are better able to build relationships with individuals in our care. (Give space, try to initiate conversation, process incident) Page 7
The Fourth stage of the Verbal Escalation Continuum?
What is Intimidation? The individual is verbally and/or nonverbally threatening staff in some manner. A hands-on approach at this time may TRIGGER physical acting-out behavior.
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Intimidation (Verbal Escalation Continuum).
Seek assistance and wait for the team to intervene, if possible. Try to avoid individual intervention, as this is more likely to jeopardize the safety and welfare of both staff and the acting-out person.
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The Fifth stage of the Verbal Escalation Continuum?
What is Tension Reduction? A drop in energy, which occurs after every crisis situation, whether it is after low-level defensive behaviors or intimidation.
The Staff Approach for when a student is displaying Tension Reducation (Verbal Escalation Continuum).
Establish Therapeutic Rapport- re-establish communication with the individual.
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