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Prevention Strategy – Bouncing
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Situation
What can I do when I notice one of my students starts to get upset? I don’t want him to have a major meltdown.
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Summary
Give de-escalation prevention bouncing a try. When you notice your student starting to escalate, think of how you can “bounce” them away from the situation/task/person. Ask them to deliver a message, return a book to the library, or get a ream of paper from the office. This time away gives him an opportunity to get focused on something else.
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Definition
This strategy is used to prevent a behavior from escalating. It removes the person from the situation that is causing frustration or agitation for a short time. You “bounce” the person away from the frustrating situation which allows them to calm down. Upon return to the room they can continue the task.
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Quick Facts
- Child's Age: 3-5, 6-10, 11-13, 14-17, 18+
- Planning Effort: Low
- Difficulty Level: Easy
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Pre-requisites
Ability to identify early escalating behaviors
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Process
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Set up a signal in advance to let staff know that if student is sent with message or material, it is a cool down time
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Observe and identify when student behavior is escalating.
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Ask student to deliver message or material.
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Reinforce student upon return and re-direct to task.
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Be aware that if the task created the frustration, the task may need to be altered before returning.
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Documents and Related Resources
AntisepticBouncing (word doc. examples from ECS Exceptional Children Services)
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