Understanding and Managing Escalating Behavior Jennifer Tachell Ed
Understanding and Managing Escalating Behavior Jennifer Tachell, Ed. S. , M. Ed. Statewide Lead PBIS Tier 1 Coordinator ISCA 2017 1
Objective • Enhance our understanding of, and ways of responding to, escalating behavior sequences 2
Outcomes • 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 3
The MODEL High Peak Acceleration De-escalation Agitation Low Calm Trigger Recovery 4
Phases of Escalation 1. Calm – Student is cooperative 2. Trigger – Student experiences a series of unresolved conflicts 3. Agitation – Student exhibits increase in unfocused behavior 4. Acceleration – Student displays focused behavior 5. Peak – Student is out of control and displays most severe problem behavior 6. De-escalation – Student displays confusion but with decreases in severe behavior 7. Recovery – Student displays eagerness to participate in non-engagement activities 5
1. Calm • The student is cooperative – – – Accepts corrective feedback Follows directives Sets personal goals Ignores distractions Accepts praise 6
1. Calm • Intervention is focused on prevention – Arrange for high rates of successful academic and social engagements – Use positive reinforcement – Teach social skills • Problem solving • Relaxation strategy • Self-management – Communicate positive expectations 7
2. Trigger • Student experiences a series of unresolved conflicts – – – Repeated failures Frequent corrections Interpersonal conflicts Timelines Low rates of positive reinforcement 8
2. Trigger • Intervention is focused on prevention and redirection – Remove from or modify context – Increase opportunities for success – Reinforce what has been taught 9
3. Agitation • Student exhibits increase in unfocused behavior – – – Off-task Frequent start/stop on tasks Out of seat Talking with others Social withdrawal 10
3. Agitation • Intervention is focused on reducing anxiety – Make structural/environmental modifications – Provide reasonable options and choices – Involve in successful engagements 11
4. Acceleration • Student displays focused behavior – – Provocative High intensity Threatening Personal 12
4. Acceleration • Intervention is focused on safety – Remember… • Escalations and self-control are inversely related • Escalation is likely to run its course 13
4. Acceleration • Remove all triggering, competing, and maintaining factors • Follow crisis intervention procedures • Establish and follow through with bottom line • Disengage from student 14
5. Peak • Student is out of control and displays most severe problem behavior – – – Physical aggression Property destruction Self-injury Escape/social withdrawal/running away Hyperventilation 15
5. Peak • Intervention is focused on safety – Procedures similar to acceleration phase, except focus is on crisis intervention 16
6. De-escalation • Student displays confusion but with decreases in severe behavior – – Social withdrawal Denial Blaming others Minimization of problem 17
6. De-escalation • Intervention is focused on removing excess attention – – Don’t nag Avoid blaming Don’t force apology Emphasize starting anew 18
7. Recovery • Student displays eagerness to participate in non-engagement activities – Attempts to correct problem – Unwillingness to participate in group activities – Social withdrawal and sleep 19
7. Recovery • Intervention is focused on re-establishing routines and activities – Follow through with consequences for problem behavior – Positively reinforce any displays of appropriate behavior 20
7. Recovery • Debrief – Purpose of debrief is to facilitate transition back to program – Debrief follows consequences for problem behavior – Goal is to increase more appropriate behavior 21
7. Recovery • Problem solving example: – What did I do? (define the problem) – Why did I do it? – What could I have done instead? (create possible solutions) – What do I have to do next? (make a plan) – Can I do it? – If not, whose help would I like? 22
Debrief with Staff • Check in, make sure staff is okay – This important step is often skipped! – Offers staff a chance to reflect on what happened and process their reactions/emotions/thoughts – Important that time is taken to debrief before the end of the day (whenever possible) • Does anyone need a break? • Was there anything we could have done differently? • Who is following up with what? 23
Three Key Strategies 1. Identify how to intervene early in an escalation 2. Identify environmental factors that can be manipulated 3. Identify replacement behaviors that can be taught 24
Teaching Compliance • Students must… – Be fluent at expected behavior – Be taught conditions under which the expected behavior is required – Have multiple opportunities for high rates of successful academic and social engagement – Receive or experience frequent and positive acknowledgments when expected behavior is exhibited 25
Teaching Compliance • Teachers must… – Have student’s attention, before presenting the directive or making a request – Give clear, specific, and positively stated directives – Provide frequent and positive acknowledgments when expected behavior is exhibited – Have established and taught consequence procedures for repeated noncompliance 26
Final Thought It is always important to remember that “if you inadvertently assist the student to escalate, do not be concerned; you will get another chance to do it right the next time around. ” Geoff Colvin 27
Activity • Read the vignette and respond to the questions. • Discuss examples from your school. – Why do you think this student is having trouble at school? – What triggers are occurring across this student’s day that continue to escalate his behavior? 28
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Idaho Positive Behavior Network Katie Bubak-Azevedo Director Jennifer Tachell Statewide Lead Tier 1 Coordinator Kelli Burnham Associate Director Jena Grenke Statewide Tier 1 Coordinator Jamie Marts Statewide Tier 1 Coordinator 30
Contact Us! Email: ipbn@boisestate. edu Website: https: //csi. boisestate. edu/ipbn/ 31
Thank You! 32
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