Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education Phases of Acting-Out Behavior and De-Escalation Strategies Materials taken from Colvin Prepared by DSM trainers (Joy Wiebers, Suzann Wilson)

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives PREVENTION is the KEY to CHANGE We must have MULTIPLE APPROACHES Take an ACADEMIC APPROACH Three Basic Beliefs

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Objectives Identification of how to intervene early in an escalation. Identification of environmental factors that can be manipulated. Identification of replacement behaviors that can be taught (& serve same function as problem). Team discussions to identify strengths and areas of growth.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives TeacherJason Jason, please turn in your assignment. What assignment? I finished it. I don’t have it with me now. You never believe me. F_____ you! Pulls away, glares, & raises fist as if to strike. The assignment you didn’t finish during class. Great, please turn it in now. You have a choice: turn it in or do it again. I guess you’ve made the choice to do it again. That’s disrespect…go to the office. Moves closer…& puts hand on J. shoulder. Make me.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Purpose Enhance our understanding of & ways of responding to escalating behavior sequences. –Student Teacher –Teacher Teacher –Teacher Parent –Child Parent –Teacher Administrator –Etc., etc., etc….

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Assumptions Behavior is learned (function). Behavior is lawful (function). Behavior is escalated through successive interactions (practice). Behavior can be changed through instructional approach.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low Calm Peak De-escalation Recovery Acceleration Agitation Trigger Managing the Cycle of Acting-Out Behavior in the Classroom By Dr. Geoff Colvin

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low Calm Peak De-escalation Recovery Acceleration Agitation Trigger Managing the Cycle of Acting-Out Behavior in the Classroom By Dr. Geoff Colvin

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low CALM 

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives 1. Calm Student is cooperative. –Accepts corrective feedback. –Follows directives. –Sets personal goals. –Ignores distractions. –Accepts praise.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Calm Intervention is focused on prevention. –Assess problem behavior Triggers Function Academic & behavioral learning history –Arrange for high rates of successful academic & social engagements. –Use positive reinforcement. –Teach social skills. Problem solving Relaxation strategy Self-management –Communicate positive expectations.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Calm Phase Teach procedures while students are in the calm phase Possible procedures: Entering the classroom Getting to work immediately How to ask for help Bathroom procedures

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Functions of Behavior

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low TRIGGER 

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives 2. Trigger Student experiences a series of unresolved conflicts. –Repeated failures –Frequent corrections –Interpersonal conflicts –Timelines –Low rates of positive reinforcement

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Trigger Intervention is focused on prevention & redirection. –Consider function of problem behavior in planning/implementing response. –Remove from or modify problem context. –Increase opportunities for success. –Reinforce what has been taught. –Focus on what the student does right.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low AGITATION 

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives 3. Agitation Student exhibits increase in unfocused behavior. –Off-task –Frequent start/stop on tasks –Out of seat –Talking with others –Social withdrawal

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Agitation Intervention is focused on reducing anxiety. –Consider function of problem behavior in planning/implementing response. –Make structural/environmental modifications. –Provide reasonable options & choices. –Involve in successful engagements.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low ACCELERATION

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives 4. Acceleration Student displays focused behavior. –Provocative –High intensity –Threatening –Personal

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Acceleration Intervention is focused on safety. –Remember: Escalations & self-control are inversely related. Escalation is likely to run its course.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Acceleration –Remove all triggering & competing maintaining factors. –Follow crisis prevention procedures. –Establish & follow through with bottom line. –Disengage from student.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low PEAK

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives 5. Peak Student is out of control & displays most severe problem behavior. –Physical aggression –Property destruction –Self-injury –Escape/social withdrawal –Hyperventilation

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Peak Intervention is focused on safety. –Use the same procedures as used in the acceleration phase –Focus is on crisis intervention

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Choose the right time Start off positive & praise Would you listen to yourself? Stay calm (at least appear calm) Ignore or Delay Responding Request VS. Demands “I” statements -- GOOD or BAD? Preventing Power Struggles

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low DECELERATION

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives 6. De-escalation Student displays confusion but with decreases in severe behavior. –Social withdrawal –Denial –Blaming others –Minimization of problem

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives De-escalation Intervention is focused on removing excess attention. –Don’t nag. –Avoid blaming. –Don’t force apology. –Consider function of problem behavior –Emphasize starting anew.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives The MODEL High Low RECOVERY 

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives 7. Recovery Student displays eagerness to engage in non-engagement activities. –Attempts to correct problem. –Unwillingness to participate in group activities. –Social withdrawal & sleep.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Recovery Debrief –Debriefing facilitates transition back to classroom without further negative consequences –Debriefing follows consequences for problem behavior –The goal is to increase more appropriate behavior

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Take Deep Breaths Think of the consequences Use self-talk Remove yourself Count to 10 Visualize something positive Plan Ahead Strategies for Dealing with Anger

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Verbal De-escalation Tactics Simply listeningSimply listening Distracting the other personDistracting the other person Re-focusing the other person on something positiveRe-focusing the other person on something positive Changing the subjectChanging the subject Use humor (sparingly) to lighten the mood (be very careful with this!)Use humor (sparingly) to lighten the mood (be very careful with this!) Motivating the other personMotivating the other person Empathizing with the other personEmpathizing with the other person Giving choicesGiving choices Setting limitsSetting limits

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives De-escalating Positively Use positive and helpful statements such as: –“I want to help you!” –“Please tell me more so I better understand how to help you.” –“Let’s call Mr. Smith … I know he would be able to help with this…” –“Ms. Jones handles this for our district, let’s ask her what she thinks about this situation … She is always willing to help!” Put yourself on his/her side of finding a solution to the problem.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiativesListening Three Main Listening Skills: –Attending: Giving your physical (and mental) attention to another person. –Following: Making sure you are engaged by using eye contact. Use un-intrusive gestures (such as nodding of your head, saying okay or asking an infrequent question.) –Reflecting: Paraphrasing and reflecting, using the feelings of the other person. (empathy) Listen when you are “listening.” –No other activities when listening. –Multi-tasking is not good when you are listening.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Be an empathic listener Do NOT be judgmental. Do NOT ignore the person or pretend to be paying attention. Listen to what the person is really saying. Re-state the message. Clarify the message. Repeat the message. Be empathetic! Validate -- “I understand why…” (Not in agreement with…) Try to establish rapport with the other person.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Intro to Body Language 80% -- 90% of our communication is non- verbal. It is very important to be able to identify exactly what we are communicating to others non-verbally. You may be trying to de-escalate the situation by talking to the other person, but your body language may be showing a willingness to get physical. It is also important that we recognize and understand the non-verbal cues from another person who has the potential of escalating.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Body Language When people are angry, they sometimes do not “listen” to the words that are being said. Remember the difference between “hearing” and “listening.” Often, they do “see” and react to what you are “saying” with your body language. You must always be very careful with the message you are sending!

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Body Language Finger pointing may seem accusing or threatening. Shoulder shrugging may seem uncaring or unknowing. Rigid walking may seem unyielding or challenging. Jaw set with clenched teeth shows you are not open- minded to listening to his/her side of the story. A natural smile is good. A fake smile can aggravate the situation. Use slow and deliberate movements -- quick actions may surprise or scare the other person.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Body Language -- Eyes One eyebrow raised = “sternness” Eyes open wide = “surprise” A hard stare = “threatening gesture” Closing eyes longer than normal = “I’m not listening” and/or “Change your message!” (This may be a warning that you are unintentionally escalating the situation!)

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Personal Space Invasion or encroachment of personal space tends to heighten or escalate anxiety. Note: Personal space is usually 1.5 to 3 feet -- far enough away so you cannot be hit or kicked. Do not touch a hostile person -- they might interpret that as an aggressive action. Keep your hands visible at all times -- you do not want the other person to misinterpret your physical actions.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Challenging Posture Challenging postures that tend to threaten another person and escalate any situation include: –Face to face –Nose to nose –Toe to toe –Eyeball to eyeball –Touching –Finger pointing

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Protect yourself at all times While de-escalating another person, you want to be in a non-threatening, non-challenging and self-protecting position.While de-escalating another person, you want to be in a non-threatening, non-challenging and self-protecting position. Slightly more than a leg’s length away, on an angle and off to the side of the other person.Slightly more than a leg’s length away, on an angle and off to the side of the other person. Stay far enough away that the other person cannot hit, kick or grab you.Stay far enough away that the other person cannot hit, kick or grab you.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Tips Remain calm -- Listen - really listen! Avoid overreaction. Validate! “I understand why you might be upset.” (This does not indicate that you agree with them.) Remove onlookers -- or relocate to a safer place. (Onlookers can become either “cheerleaders” or additional victims.) Send an onlooker for help. Watch for non-verbal clues or threats. Bring in another trained person to assist whenever possible. There is less chance of aggressive behavior if two people are talking to one person.

Iowa Behavioral Alliance - An Initiative of the Iowa Department of Education... for positive behavior supports, dropout prevention, and mental health initiatives Ask for Help! Alert someone else as soon as possible. (No help will arrive until someone else knows your situation. Until then, you are all alone.) Two heads are always better than one. There is safety in numbers. It will be beneficial to have a witness, if the situation deteriorates and someone is injured.