The Goal of De-escalation
To safely guide a student from a state of crisis or high emotional arousal back to a calm, regulated state where rational processing can occur.
The Do's
- Maintain a calm, neutral tone of voice.
- Respect personal space (stay at least 2-3 feet away).
- Use simple, direct language.
- Validate their feelings ("I see that you are very upset").
- Offer choices when possible to restore a sense of control.
- Remove an audience (ask other students to step away).
The Don'ts
- Do not argue or engage in power struggles.
- Avoid raising your voice or talking over the student.
- Do not demand immediate compliance or threaten consequences during the peak of escalation.
- Avoid defensive body language (crossed arms, standing over them).
- Do not touch the student unless necessary for safety.
Post-Incident (Recovery Phase)
Once the student is completely calm, engage in a restorative conversation. Discuss what happened, identify triggers, and plan for better coping strategies next time. Document the incident and notify necessary support staff.
