Crisis Prevention and Intervention Flashcards

An individual a DSP supports is showing early warning signs of a crisis, such as pacing and speaking in a louder-than-usual tone. Which of the following is the MOST proactive and effective initial response?

Answer: Calmly ask the individual if something is bothering them and offer to listen.

The best initial response is to use de-escalation techniques. Calmly engaging the individual, showing empathy, and offering to listen can help identify the trigger and resolve the issue before it escalates into a full-blown crisis. This approach is person-centered and respects the individual's feelings, viewing the behavior as a form of communication.

What is the primary goal of Positive Behavior Support (PBS) as a crisis prevention strategy?

Answer: To teach new skills and modify the environment to improve quality of life and make challenging behaviors irrelevant.

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a proactive, person-centered approach focused on understanding the function or reason behind a behavior. It aims to improve a person's quality of life by teaching alternative communication and coping skills and making environmental changes, which in turn reduces the need for the challenging behavior.

A DSP is working with an individual who has a known history of becoming aggressive when they feel crowded or overwhelmed. The DSP is planning a community outing to a local festival. Which of the following demonstrates the BEST proactive crisis prevention strategy?

Answer: Discussing the potential for crowds with the individual beforehand and planning for a quiet space to take a break if needed.

Proactive crisis management involves anticipating potential triggers and planning ahead. By discussing the potential stressor (crowds) and co-creating a plan (having a designated quiet space), the DSP empowers the individual and provides them with a coping strategy, making a crisis less likely to occur. This is a key part of person-centered crisis prevention.

During a crisis, an individual is yelling and making verbal threats. The DSP's primary focus regarding their own body language should be to appear:

Answer: Calm, neutral, and non-threatening, with open posture.

In a crisis, an individual is more likely to react to non-verbal communication than to words. A calm, neutral, and open posture (e.g., relaxed stance, visible hands) helps to de-escalate the situation by conveying safety and a willingness to help, rather than escalating the conflict by appearing threatening or confrontational.

Which of the following is a critical component of post-crisis procedures for a DSP?

Answer: Documenting the incident objectively and participating in a debrief to identify what can be learned.

After a crisis is resolved and everyone is safe, it is essential to document the event according to policy and participate in a debriefing process. This helps the support team understand triggers, evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, and adjust the individual's support plan to better prevent future crises.

An individual is in the middle of a behavioral crisis. When using verbal de-escalation techniques, the DSP should:

Answer: Use simple, direct language and allow for silence.

During a crisis, a person's ability to process complex information is diminished. Effective verbal de-escalation involves using clear, concise, and simple language. Allowing for silence gives the person time to process what is being said and can help to lower the intensity of the situation.