Crisis Intervention

For the past two days, I and several of my peers have been undergoing the CPI training at the request (read instruction) of our respective administrators. Some are there because they had to restrain a student from harming themselves or others in the past 30 days; others are there because they are in a situation where that is possible or likely. Some of us have even had the training previously. Regardless, it's a pretty good program when given correctly.

The main thrusts of the program are that avoiding conflict is job 1. But in all cases, do the least amount of intervention necessary to resolve the situation. Makes sense doesn't it? First, head off the problem before it happens, which means to reduce or eliminate the triggers of the undesired behavior. Hey, that works for everybody, not just teachers and not just with kids. Next, failing step one, diffuse the situation as non-confrontationally (is that a word?) as possible. Of course, being human, that's not always easy to do. If the conflict occurs, the next stage is to "de-escalate" the situation so that it not only doesn't get worse, but both student and teacher regain control of themselves and resolve the conflict. Always try to resolve the situation with words of understanding and compassion. So many of our dis don't get that from anywhere but school and us.
The last resort occurs when students become physically aggressive to the point where they are harming themselves or may harm others (or cause significant dammage). At this point, physical restraint may be necessary. Rule of thumb, never lay hands on a child unless there is absolutely no other way to protect them from themselves. Tomorrow we'll get instruction on non-harmful ways of restraining a student so that they may regain control of themselves before harm is done. It's simply ways of holding someone so that their movements are restricted and no one gets hurt.

I have problems with physically restraining a child. Many of them have been treated badly outside of school and that's the source of their anger and acting out. But, having worked at a mental hospital long ago, I know that there are times when the biggest favor you can do a person is to keep them from digging a legal hole for themselves that they may not be able to get out of. If they harm someone, their lives will take a turn for the worse, not better. Hard decisions are why they pay us teachers the big buck (singular).

Serious topic today. Tomorrow-- who knows?