De-escalating. SDS Staff Training Advocacy and Resource Center

Transcription

1 De-escalating SDS Staff Training Advocacy and Resource Center

2 How to help Human emotions: Sad, Happy, Angry, Scared We all experience these emotions, but how do we help individuals deal with them?? We can utilize skills, such as anger management and coping skills

3 Anger Management /Coping Skills These skills must be tailored to the individual s cognitive level People with disabilities may be at a disadvantage because their disability can cause them to lack coping skills for everyday life events. In the following slides we will explore various skills you can use when working with these individuals

4 Basic Skills Deep breathing Counting to ten Visualization/Guided imagery Relaxation Prompt cards Calming thoughts/positive self talk -All of these skills can be taught to any population. It may be good to try different techniques as some may work better than others depending on the person.

5 Deep Breathing Now let s try a deep breathing exercise Hold one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen. Take a normal breath in. Which part rose- chest or abdomen? Now let s try that again. This time when you take a breath, you want to see your abdomen rise. Why? If your chest rises, you are only using the top space of your lungs, this occurs more often when you are angry or anxious, making it more difficult to breath.

6 Deep Breathing-Correctly Take a long slow breath out and empty your lungs, then slowly breath in and pull the air right down to the lower part of your lungs (breathing from your diaphragm) Abdomen should rise, NOT your chest Continue this breathing holding in the air for a count of 2 seconds, then blow out the air through your mouth in one long slow breath.

7 Counting to Ten This technique is simple and quick Aid the person in counting Slowly etc. Example of when to use this technique; An individual just got off the phone, they are visibly angered by the conversation (face red, clenched fist, raised voice) they proceed to tell you about it, quickly, not making much sense.

8 Visualization There are numerous visualizations that can be used. For example: Traffic light routine (See diagram on next slide) Stop Think.Go Special Place (imagine a special place where you find peace and happiness) *All must be taught to the individuals. Their developmental level will determine the extent you will be assisting.

9 Traffic Light System The image of a traffic light is a good visual prompter to de-escalate a situation. Everyone knows the meaning of the traffic light colours so try applying them to your anger. Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p> Stop- Don t lash out! Use breathing techniques and count down from 10. Wait- Think, what is wrong? What can I do? What are the consequences? What am I feeling? Go keep calm and make a plan. How are you going to react instead of loosing your temper?

10 Guided imagery Visualization that is more in depth You are assisting the person through an imaginary scene. Close your eyes take a deep breath listen, try to follow my instructions

11 Relaxation Listening to music Taking a nice, hot bath Sitting outside under a tree or in nature Muscle relaxation (explained in more detail on next slide) **The trick is finding what is most relaxing for each individual**

12 Muscle relaxation Starting with your toes and working your way up your body, flex each muscle for a count of five Then release & relax the muscle Throw in some humor (scrunch your nose like a bunny, forehead wrinkled like a walnut)

13 Prompt cards Make up an appropriate prompt card that is individualized for the person. Example: An individual has a tendency to get easily angered-the traffic light card may be handy. An individual tends to over obsess and worry about things-a card with calm down cue may be helpful. This is their personal card to keep on them or staff, depending on developmental level, to offer them a visual reminder of what to do.

14 Calming Thoughts/Positive Self Talk When upset, an individual may tend to catastrophize things, think the worst, and may let that be known aloud The thoughts you have when you are angry and upset tend to be negative, self defeating, better known as wind up thoughts These are thoughts that make the situation worse, ie. I hate him, I m going to kill her

15 Calming thoughts Have individual try to psych themselves out of a thought and think positive, nice thoughts This will help the individual calm down and will hopefully put a halt to the aggressive thoughts they may be having Example of Positive Self Talk: Relax, Calm down, breath, it s not so bad, normally they are nice to me, I can handle this, I m ok

16 Don t give up Work with the person Don t simply tell them to do a skill, help them If one doesn t work, try another, and another (By the time you ve done several they will have had time to calm through the miracle of distraction)