Angela Kulcsar breaks down the escalation cycle, a framework showing how student behavior intensifies through predictable stages. When students hit peak escalation, reducing sensory input and limiting talking works better than verbal reasoning. She includes free templates for tracking behavior and de-escalation tools.
When students are exhibiting big behaviors, you need the right tools in place to help that child safely de-escalate. And the first tool you need is an understanding of the escalation cycle. The escalation cycle has been around for decades. There's a ton of research to support the validity of this. And when you understand what the escalation cycle is and how our students move through behavior, you'll have a better understanding of not only how to prevent problem behavior, but help a child de-escalate once he gets to the peak. I've created an escalation cycle mini unit that includes tons of tools for you to learn about the escalation cycle, train your teams, and create behavior plans that are rooted in this cycle for each individual child. Not only are the handouts included, but an escalation cycle behavior plan, an escalation cycle template where you can track exactly what each stage of the, of the cycle looks like for this student along with interventions. And then we have a check-in tool for students to start to teach them to self-identify where they are in the escalation cycle and what supports they need. I also have some calm down cards. These are really helpful for staff communicating to each other during a big behavior. If you get to the peak of the cycle, one of my main strategies is we want to reduce overwhelm, reduce verbal language, and this is a great way to do that. So click the download below to download your free escalation mini unit and click subscribe for more behavior strategies that work.
