De-Escalation: Calming the Storms Presenter: Mike Paget

Recognizing emotional and behavioral escalation This presentation is based on material from the Crisis Prevention Institute CPI provides training on topics of crisis prevention and crisis management, including physical intervention The priorities of CPI are to ensure safety, and to prevent escalation, including physical restraint

Think about a situation you have been in where things were getting tense and out-of-control What clued you in that things were escalating? What were your thoughts? What were your feelings? How did you respond? How did things turn out? Did the experience have any after- effects?

CPI Crisis Development Model

2.Defensive (overt behaviors) beginning to lose rationality/challenge authority 2.Be directive give control by setting limits; give options and choices to allow child/youth to regain rational control through appropriate self-directed behavior 3.Non violent Physical Crisis Intervention (NVPCI) non harmful control techniques used to help individual regain control 4.Therapeutic rapport begin to reestablish communication and regain trust 3.Acting out person total loss of rationality and control 4.Tension reduction decrease in energy level both physical & emotionally beginning to regain control 1.Be supportive non-judgmental and empathic 1.Anxiety notable change or increase in someone’s normal behavior Crisis Development/Behavior LevelsAdult Attitudes/Approaches Behaviors and attitudes of adults impact on the behaviors and attitudes of children and youth Integrated Experience

Experiment: Let’s play the mime game 2 volunteers Without words, show “anger” “happiness” “fear”

Nonverbal Behavior 7% Verbal 38% Paraverbal 55% Non verbal

Proxemics size location experience sense of control history gender age frame of mind culture personal hygiene Definition: The area where you feel comfortable Factors influencing: Note: Personal property functions like an extension of personal space

Kinesics eye contact  avoiding  staring crossed arms eye rolling clenching fists huffing pacing Signs of Anxiety shrugging shoulders punching the air clenched teeth eyebrows perspiring Examples

Paraverbal Communication: Vocal part of speech excluding words. How we say what we say. Elements: Definition: Volume- appropriate for situation Cadence: rate /rhythm at which we speak) Tone of voice (where is the inflection)

Arguing Have you ever gotten into an argument that became a real power struggle? What makes these arguments worse? What helps you avoid or back out of these arguments?

Verbal Escalation Continuum 1. Questioning Information seeking-answer Challenging Ignore, redirect, set limits 2. Refusal- overt noncompliance Set limits 3. Release: loss of verbal control Allow venting, isolate, focus on safety, listen 4. Intimidation (threats) Take it seriously, document, report, reflect, get help 5. Tension Reduction Therapeutic rapport

Talking Tips and Techniques Do: Listen Talk less Speak softly Respect privacy Remain calm Do not: Embarrass Call out in front of others Criticize Over-react Use sarcasm Fake attention

Rational Detachment Definition: The ability to stay in control of one’s own behavior and not take acting-out personally. beforeduring after Good health Meditation Prayer Training Planning Calm Breath Team work Humor Follow plan Debrief Vent Evaluate Modify plan Leave work at work

Rational Detachment Lose cool Embarrass Use sarcasm Bring up the past Fake attention Touch Become a precipitating factor Use calm voice Maintain respect for child/youth Listen Talk less Use privacy Allow time Praise when appropriate Don’tDo

How the adult reacts makes matters better or worse The behaviors and attitudes of adults impact on the behaviors and attitudes of children and youth, and vice versa Anxiety   Support Defensive   Directive AOP   NVPCI Tension reduction   Therapeutic rapport

Adult Fear and Anxiety Productive 1. Heightened senses 2. Shortened reaction time 3. Increase in speed and strength Unproductive Minimize 1. freezing 2. Overreaction 3. responding inappropriately Maximize: 1.understand your fears 2.learn techniques to protect yourself 3.get support: teamwork 4.learn physical intervention skills Fear: of the unknown – “What is happening?” Anxiety: fear of the known – “Can I handle this?”

After the storm C -Control O- Orient Listen to the AOP or adult P-Patterns I- Investigate and Improvement N- Negotiate G- Give Learning, processing, closure, moving forward

Are you interested in more training? The Crisis Prevention Institute has a number of trainings primarily intended for adults who work with children and youth CPI also has useful training material for parents and home care-givers