Understanding Behavior
Describe the difference between a desirable behavior and a challenging behavior.
Desirable Behavior: Those we would like to teach and encourage.
Challenging Behavior: Those that are dangerous or interfere with learning and functioning.
What kind of facial expression should always be maintained when trying to prevent an incident?
Neutral
What is the first and most important safety strategy during an incident?
Call for assistance (SSC).
What are the proper steps to take if a student falls to the ground during physical management?
DO NOT hold the person up. Instead, respond by helping the person safely to the floor and let go if the student appears calm and regulated. If the student continues to escalate, re-engage physical management.
True or False? It is important to safely position and avoid reaching or leaning into the person's midline?
True. The midline is a person's striking zone. It is easier for an agitated student to lash out from this area.
What are the ABCs of behavior?
1. Antecedent
2. Behavior
3. Consequence
When it comes to staff's emotional reactions, we must never take things ________.
Personally.
The way the person behaves towards you is about your role, not about you as a person. We all have stress at work and in our private lives. That stress can make it harder to respond effectively if the individuals we support do things that might be irritating, insulting, provoking, or intimidating.
Fill in the Blank: De-escalation is most effective when we intervene as __________.
Early as possible
If you are ever grabbed by a student (clothing, hair, bite, etc), or if two students are engage in grabbing each other, after calling for help the second step is to what?
Stabilize
-Use stabilize part of release procedure
-Grasp the person's lower forearm and pull inward with gentle pressure
-If the person is attempting to bite, place a safe object in between your body and the person's mouth
True or False? While using the Wait strategy, you should speak calmly and respectfully with the person about their concerns?
False.
What are the three severity levels of challenging behaviors?
1. Disruptive
2. Dangerous
3. Very dangerous
Name one characteristic of effective reinforcement.
Preferred, varied, immediate, distinct, descriptive.
What are the three strategies we use to minimize an incident?
1. Help
2. Prompt
3. Wait
Give three reasons to consider releasing any Safety Care Hold.
Demonstrating Calm, Agreeing to safe behavior, moved to less dangerous location, hold is causing increased escalation, emergency medical release
True or false? Traumatic events can affect the person's ability to feel safe, relate to others, or manage emotions.
True. Anyone might have a history of traumatic experiences, whether we are aware of them or not.
What is the behavior trap?
When we find ourselves reinforcing the challenging behavior to try to get it to stop quickly. But if we reinforce behavior it will happen more often in the future.
Give an example of when you might use Elbow Check. Next, demonstrate it on the person sitting next to you.
Example:
1. You need to approach someone to provide assistance.
2. You're in a tight space with others.
3. You need to interrupt behavior such as hitting, grabbing, scratching, throwing things, biting, or self- harm.
Common errors when using Elbow Check Procedure: Approaching from the wrong direction, fingers separate, wrong hand, shadow too far away (should be about an inch away), hand vertical, arm not rigid, too forceful, physical contact when the person prefers not to be touched.
Two participants from your team must properly demonstrate the technique for a Supportive Guide. (One staff member should be the Staff and the other is the Student)
Approach from side, further closed hand above nearest elbow, other closed hand just below opposite shoulder, stay to their side, apply gentle pressure to guide, exit with elbow check
Give two examples of something you would look for in the student during a post-release evaluation.
Breathing
Alertness/responsiveness
Bruises/Physical injury
Complaints of pain/evidence of psychological trauma
True or False? During protective shuffle you should move quickly to the nearest corner so you cannot be attacked from behind.
False-avoid backing yourself into a corner. You can back up to a wall to avoid being attacked from behind. A wall allows you to move side to side to avoid attacks from the front
On the board, chose a student you work with and complete an ABCs of behavior diagram.
Example:
Antecedent: Tess has nothing to do.
Behavior: Tess wanders the room.
Consequence: Staff ask Tess to sit down.
Fill in the blanks: As professionals, we must always communicate _______ and promote _______.
Respect, dignity
Give two examples of each antecedent to dangerous behavior: Common triggers and Common Signals
Triggers: Loud Noises, Ending Preferred Activities, Transitions, change in schedule/routine
Signals: Leg Bouncing, pacing, tapping, head down
ADVANCED: Two participants from your team with advanced safety care training demonstrate the proper Floor Supine Stability Hold technique. A third participant from your team should come up to be the "student"
Keys:
Student Hands facing the floor
Gentle grasp on wrist and pressure one shoulder (or hovering above shoulder)
Kneeling close to students body
True or False? Physical management may only be used when there is no other practical way to prevent harm to the agitated person or someone else, including staff.
True