Lesson 3: Overview of De-escalation and Seclusion

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As outlined in Ohio rule, each school district must ensure an appropriate number of personnel in each building are trained face-to-face¹ annually in evidence-based crisis management and de-escalation techniques, as well as the safe use of physical restraint and seclusion. As a paraeducator in the school setting, it is likely that you could be one of the trained educators on staff who have gone through one of these trainings.

Some of the things that you will learn in a de-escalation training include:

1. Proactive measures for preventing the use of physical restraint (It should always be a last resort)
2. Crisis management (How to maintain peace in a crisis). 
3. The safe use of restraint and seclusion (Stay safe while keeping kids safe)
4. Instruction and accommodation for age and body size diversity (Kids are all different)
5. Directions for monitoring signs of distress during and following physical control (Keeping aware)
6. Debriefing practices and procedures (Looking back into the situation to see how we can continue to better)
7. Documentation and communication about the restraint or seclusion with appropriate parties (It is essential to take notes of the incident and process)
8. A simulated experience of administering and receiving physical restraint (Walking through it with others is key)
9. Participant demonstration of proficiency in the above items (You should be able to show you understand the methods)
10. Education on the physiological and psychological impact of physical restraint on the student and family (Knowing why we want it to be a last resort)
11. Direction for age-appropriate processing, reestablishing rapport & appropriately supporting the student to reengage in learning (The goal is to bring them back)
12. Guidance for staff on debriefing the event (for example, escalation of the event, planning for future areas of improvement to foster restraint reduction and student engagement) and properly documenting and communicating about the restraint with appropriate parties. (Know the next steps)
13. Training about the components of creating a functional behavior assessment & implementation & monitoring of a behavior intervention plan (Assess and Plan)
14. Trauma-informed care (What are the important things to know about a child’s past and current trauma and how it could affect these situations). 

After learning from this module, you will feel very comfortable being a part of the de-escalation training because you will have the base knowledge you need to connect to the new learning.