De-escalation: What is it and how do I do it?

When a young person is shouting, crying or about to bolt, your own heart is pounding too. The instinct is to reason with them, and it rarely works, because a brain in that state isn't ready to listen.

De-escalation gives you something better to do. The escalation curve shows you where a young person is and when to step in, and ABC charts help you spot the triggers and early warning signs. You'll practise keeping your voice low and slow, using short repeated phrases and offering real choices. Just as useful are the things you do without words: 'think animal', lower the lights, give space and watch your own posture.

Once the peak has passed, a drink, a snack and time to rest come before any talking it through. The ideas come from a specialist teacher who supports autistic young people and those with SEMH needs.