Escalation Plan

A structured plan for responding to escalating behaviors

Goal

Feel confident in knowing how to consistently support a learner who engages in high-intensity behaviors.

How

Meet as a team (preferably including a behavior expert and the learner) to identify the learner’s behavior at each phase of the escalation cycle. Then, determine how the team should respond to the learner at each phase. Fill in this information on our “Escalation Plan Template” found in our Tools chapter. Anyone responsible for supporting this learner should have this plan memorized.

Context

Create escalation plans for learners who engage in high-intensity behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, or elopement off campus. These behaviors are typically preceded by lower-intensity behaviors.

Tip

Involve the learner in decision-making to hear from them how they would like to be supported at each step. Also, inform them of how the team will be responding when they are at their peak to create more predictability in our support.

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