When Staff Escalate the Escalation: Recognizing and Addressing Staff-Triggered Behavioral Crises

woman with arm across forehead

Two Facilities, Two Different Outcomes At first glance, the two facilities had a lot in common. They both served individuals with behavioral challenges. They both had well-intentioned staff who wanted to make a difference. Both had training programs designed to prepare teams to manage crises. But when escalation occurred, the outcomes were very different. In … Read more

5 Errors that Inadvertently Cause More Dangerous Behaviors in Schools: And What to Do About It

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As a behavior analyst and former school administrator focused on school improvement, I’ve spent over two decades helping teachers, schools, and districts reduce behavioral crises, including persistent aggression and self-injurious behavior. In many cases, dangerous behavior in schools can be traced back to a small number of common mistakes—mistakes that are often easy to fix … Read more

The Hidden Dangers of “Hands-Off” Policies and Bans on Prone Restraints in Crisis Management

group of people in session

In education and specialized care settings, the use of physical restraint is a topic filled with complexity and strong emotion. Understandably, many educators and advocates are uncomfortable with the idea of restraining students. As a result, a hands-off policy in schools has gained traction as a way to eliminate the risks associated with physical intervention. … Read more

When De-Escalation Breaks Down: What 303 Crisis Professionals Revealed

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De-escalation is often treated as a communication skill. In reality, it is a safety skill. When it works, situations stabilize quickly, relationships remain intact, and the need for restrictive or intrusive interventions is reduced. When it breaks down, escalation accelerates, options narrow, and risk increases for everyone involved. The difference between those outcomes rarely comes … Read more

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