Partial List of De-escalation Techniques

From the The American Psychiatric Nurses Association
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555686

Here is a partial list of de-escalation techniques that experienced mental health nurses find to be helpful in a crisis (These can also be applied in a public school/classroom setting):

1. Assess the situation promptly. If you see signs and symptoms of a person entering into crisis, intervene early.
2. Maintain a calm demeanor and voice.
3. Use problem solving with the individual -- ask "What will help now?"
4. Be empathetic.
5. Reassure individual that no harm will come to him or to others.
6. Avoid an argumentative stance.
7. Offer to help.
8. Engage the individual.
9. Use stress management or relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises.
10. Don't crowd the individual; give him or her space.
11. Be aware of yourself -- your look, your tone.
12. Offer choices.
13. Use open-ended questions.
14. Give the individual time to think.
15. Decrease the tension with relaxation techniques.
16. Ignore challenges; redirect challenging questions.
17. Tell them what you can do to help them.
18. Allow venting.
19. Allow pacing.
20. Don't say "you must."
21. Avoid power struggles.
22. Set limits and tell them what the expectation is.
23. Be careful with your nonverbal behaviors.
24. Be aware of the individual's nonverbal behaviors.
25. Be clear; use simple language.
26. Language -- follow the rule of 5 (no more than 5 words in sentence, 5 letters in a word -- eg, "Would you like a chair?")
27. Use reflective technique -- "Am I hearing you?"
28. Agree to disagree.
29. Be willing to break the rules.
30. Consider using sensory modalities such as weighted blankets or calming rooms with stress reduction tools.