Examples of Intervention/De-escalation techniques:
-Managing the environment (focuses on the environment and program to prevent a crisis behavior. May include lighting, noise, placement of self and others)
-Prompting (signals the young person to either begin a desired behavior or to stop an inappropriate action. Prompts may be verbal or nonverbal)
-Caring gesture (consists of expressing warm feelings of liking and caring for a young person. Nonverbal expressions of caring include giving a young person a pat on the arm, a quick hug, a writing or note of encouragement)
-Hurdle Help (Is used to give a young person a little help through the first few steps of a task or to get over a stumbling block. This is used when the young person’s frustration may overwhelm them and result in anger or an outburst)
-Redirection and Distractions (are methods of diverting a young person or an entire group’s energy and attention to a different activity.)
-Proximity (Is the use of nearness. Often the mere fact of having an adult close by will be calming for young people.)
-Directive Statements (Directive statements may be indicated when a young person’s behavior escalates, their ability to make rational decisions decreases, they become increasingly aggressive, and it is necessary to provide them with direct guidance.)
-Time away (Is often a good strategy when young people are upset and being stimulated by others or by something in the immediate environment. Asking them to go to another quieter area can help them calm down.)
-Listen and Validate Feelings
-Remove the audience
-Give choices and time to decide
-Redirect the child to another positive activity
-Appealing to the young person’s self interest
-Dropping or changing the expectation
-Offering alternative, nonaggressive ways to achieve goals
-Make a directive statement clearly communicating the violence must stop