Replacement Behavior
Instead of hitting when upset, a child can be taught to do this to request a break.
What is asking for a break (verbally, with a card, or with AAC)?
Name two ways staff can support communication for nonverbal children.
What are AAC devices, visuals, sign language, gestures, modeling, PECS, or communication boards?
One of the best ways to prevent escalation is noticing these early warning signs.
What are triggers or precursor behaviors?
This type of communication between staff helps maintain consistency for children.
What is clear communication?
This magical substance fuels most intervention staff.
What is caffeine/coffee/energy drinks?
A replacement behavior should serve the same ______ as the challenging behavior.
What is function?
This communication strategy involves waiting quietly after asking a question so the child has time to process.
What is wait time?
Keeping your voice calm and body language neutral during escalation is called this.
What is de-escalation?
If you notice a teammate struggling, the best first step is usually this.
What is offering support/help?
The true test of intervention staff patience is hearing this phrase 47 times in five minutes.
What is “Why?”
This type of reinforcement happens immediately after a desired behavior to increase the chance it happens again.
What is positive reinforcement?
When staff describe what a child should do instead of what NOT to do, they are using this type of language.
What is positive language?
Offering limited choices during frustration can help reduce this.
What is escalation or power struggles?
Objective documentation should include facts, not these.
What are opinions or assumptions?
Name one thing every intervention staff member probably has in their pockets.
What are stickers, pens, snacks, visual cards, fidgets, gloves, or random mystery objects?
Giving choices can reduce behaviors because it increases this feeling for the child.
What is control/autonomy?
This visual support often helps children understand routines and transitions throughout the day.
What is a visual schedule?
Name one environmental adjustment that can help prevent behaviors.
What is reducing noise, providing breaks, changing seating, adjusting lighting, limiting wait time, etc.?
Arriving on time, staying engaged, and following through are examples of this.
What is professionalism?
This survival skill allows staff to dodge flying objects with ninja-like reflexes.
What is intervention staff instinct?
A child throws items to escape tasks. Name one appropriate replacement behavior you could teach.
What is requesting help, requesting a break, using “all done,” or appropriately asking for more time?
AAC stands for this.
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication?
During a crisis, staff safety and child dignity should ALWAYS be this.
What is the priority?
A strong intervention team succeeds best when staff are consistent with this.
What are expectations, interventions, and reinforcement strategies?
The most dangerous sentence a child can whisper is usually this.
What is “I made something for you”?