⚠️ High-Risk Situations
Identify them to better prevent
1. Long/meaningless tasks
✅ Break into micro-steps, use visual screen, 15-20min timer
2. Unexpected transitions
✅ Give 2 warnings (5min + 1min), visual timer, posted routine
3. Sensory overload
✅ Quiet corner, noise-canceling headphones, sensory break
4. Vague instructions
✅ Short phrases, visual aids, one step at a time
5. Fatigue/end of day
✅ Reduce expectations, active breaks, simple activities
🔍 Warning signs:
Increased agitation • Rising tone • Clenched fists • Facial tension • Avoidance • Beginning provocations
🛠️ Intervention Techniques
Act effectively in difficult situations
EFFECTIVE POSTURE
• Calm proximity (3ft, at their eye level)
• SHORT phrases (Stop. Breathe. I'm here.)
• NEUTRAL tone (your calm = their calm)
• NO long explanations during crisis
• SHORT phrases (Stop. Breathe. I'm here.)
• NEUTRAL tone (your calm = their calm)
• NO long explanations during crisis
4 KEY TECHNIQUES
REDIRECTION
"Instead of X, come help me with Y"
LIMITED CHOICES
"Do you prefer A or B?" (2 acceptable options)
ACTIVE/CALM BREAK
Active: movement • Calm: quiet corner
SENSORY RESET
Cold water, breathing, stress ball
⚡ GOLDEN RULE:
NEVER engage in power struggle. Broken record technique: calmly repeat the same short phrase.
🚨 Specific Behaviors
How to respond to...
PROVOCATION
- Don't engage in the game
- Stay neutral
- "I see that you're angry"
- Ignore words, respond to behavior
SYSTEMATIC "NO"
- "You don't want to, OK"
- "AND at the same time..."
- Propose accommodation
- Give time limit (2min)
THROWING OBJECTS
- "Stop. We don't throw"
- Remove object/child
- Firm but neutral tone
- After: verbalize + repair
SCREAMING
- LOWER your voice
- "I listen when you're calm"
- Don't dialogue during
- Model calmness
DIFFERENTIATE
AGITATION: need to move → offer movement
EMOTIONAL CRISIS: overwhelm → soothe, secure
OPPOSITION: testing limits → firm boundary, choices
EMOTIONAL CRISIS: overwhelm → soothe, secure
OPPOSITION: testing limits → firm boundary, choices
✨ After-Crisis & Reinforcement
Rebuild and valorize
AFTER THE CRISIS (once calmed)
1. VERBALIZE
"You were very angry because..." (no moral lesson)
2. REPAIR (if needed)
Concrete proportionate action (pick up, apologize)
3. RETURN TO ROUTINE
Move on quickly, give opportunity to succeed again
4. REBUILD CONNECTION
Positive gesture quickly (valued task, positive attention)
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
✅ 3:1 RATIO: 3 positive remarks for 1 negative
✅ SPECIFIC: "You waited your turn" vs "Good job"
✅ IMMEDIATE: in the moment, not 2 hours later
✅ MICRO-PROGRESS: celebrate every small step
✅ SPECIFIC: "You waited your turn" vs "Good job"
✅ IMMEDIATE: in the moment, not 2 hours later
✅ MICRO-PROGRESS: celebrate every small step
💬 POSITIVE PHRASES:
"I saw that..." • "You managed to..." • "Thank you for..." • "I'm proud of you because..." • "You calmed yourself down, well done!"