LSCI Kevin Frederick & Kendra Nichols. LIFE SPACE CRISIS INTERVENTION A therapeutic skill which enables us to make the best out of a stressful student.

LSCILSCI

Kevin Frederick&

Kendra Nichols

LIFE SPACE CRISIS LIFE SPACE CRISIS INTERVENTIONINTERVENTION

A therapeutic skill which enables us to make the best out of a stressful student incident when we get the worst of it.

3 Possible Outcomes of a 3 Possible Outcomes of a CrisisCrisis

CRISIS

Staff-Student

Relationship

DAMAGED

Staff-Student

Relationship

UNCHANGED

Staff-Student

Relationship

IMPROVED

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE CRISIS?WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE CRISIS?An event that triggers a student’s self-concept

A child’s self-concept develops from the on-going feedback he gets from significant adults and peers in life regarding the kind of person he is.

Over time, the child learns a specific way of thinking about him or herself.

He begins to make certain assumptions and develop certain beliefs about him or herself.

The child also develops a personal set of beliefs about the people in their world and what they are going to do with them.

They result in a characteristic way of perceiving, feeling, thinking, and behaving in all current and future situations.

It can become the It can become the foundation of his/her self-foundation of his/her self-

concept or character.concept or character.“I can’t do anything right”

vs. “I’m good at things”

“I have to be in control of everything to survive”

vs. “I can let things happen”

“Teachers care about me” vs.

“Teachers don’t care.”

FOUR TYPES OF STRESSFOUR TYPES OF STRESS

1) Developmental: The stress that results from life cycle issues we all face; separation, learning, achievement, belonging, independence, physical development, etc…

2) Psychological: The stress that results when someone is conscious or inadvertently depreciated or ridiculed or made fun of, etc…

3) Reality: The stress that results from things that shouldn’t go wrong, but do go wrong each day that make life difficult.

4) Physical: The stress that results from deprivation of basic biological and physical issues like nutrition, sleep deprivation, over-stimulated, physical injuries, etc…

STAGES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENTSTAGES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Developmental Stage

Existential Question

Irrational Beliefs if Not Resolved

Abandonment (Birth – 2 years old)

“Is the world a safe place?”

“I can’t trust anyone but myself—I’ll do

whatever it takes to meet my needs?”

Inadequacy (3 – 5 years old)

“Can I measure up to my parents’

expectations?”

“I’ll never measure up, so why try?”

Guilt (6 – 9 years old)

“Can I measure up to my own

expectations?”

“I’m no good, so I deserve to be

punished!”

Conflict (9 – 12 years old)

“Can I be accepted by my peers?”

“I’m an outcast, so screw them all!”

Identity (12 years old –

Adulthood)

“Do I have what it takes to become the

kind of adult I want to be?”

“I don’t have what it takes to make it; I’m

lost!”

Irrational Beliefs or Irrational Beliefs or Cognitive DistortionsCognitive Distortions

“I must be good at everything – otherwise I am a failure.”

“Everybody ought to like me – or I am a loser.”

“If people don’t do things I like they are bad people – and they must be punished.”

“Everything must go my way all the time –otherwise I must be unimportant.”

Irrational Beliefs or Irrational Beliefs or Cognitive DistortionsCognitive Distortions“Everyone must treat me fairly all the

time - because I am entitled to it.”

“I never have any control over what happens to me in my life - and therefore I am not responsible for my problems.”

“When something bad happens to me I can never forget it - and I must think about it all the time.”

7 Defense Mechanisms7 Defense Mechanisms1) Denial- When an individual protects himself or herself from

unpleasant aspects of reality by ignoring or refusing to perceive them, remaining unaware of facts that could create one side of a conflict.

2) Regression- When an individual retreats to an earlier developmental level involving less mature responses and a lower level of aspiration.

3) Withdrawal- Involving emotional, intellectual, or physical retreat from a situation.

4) Rationalization- Socially approved reasons to justify past, present, or proposed behavior are used. Helps to justify actions and beliefs, and it aids in softening disappointment connected with unattainable goals.

5) Sublimation- The acceptance of a socially approved substitute goal for a drive whose normal channel of expression or normal goal is blocked.

6) Projection- A transfer of blame for shortcomings, mistakes, and misdeeds to others or attributes to others his or her own unacceptable impulses, thoughts, and desires.

7) Displacement- When a shift of emotion, symbolic meaning, or fantasy from a person or object toward which it was originally directed to another person or object.

THE 6 STAGES of LSCITHE 6 STAGES of LSCI

RRRR

DIA

GN

OSTIC

STA

GES

REC

LAIM

ING

STA

GES

EVENT

CYCLE 1

CYCLE 2

CYCLE 3

CRISIS

INCIDENTEXPANDS

INCIDENT

INGREDIENTS OF INGREDIENTS OF THE CONFLICT THE CONFLICT

CYCLECYCLE

7 Essential Questions7 Essential Questions

1) When2) Where3) Target4) Duration5) Frequenc

y6) Intensity7) Contagio

n

FOUNDATIONS OF LSCIFOUNDATIONS OF LSCIDeveloping the Art of Developing the Art of

ListeningListening

Attending

Responding

Decoding

Attending SkillsAttending Skills

Entering the DialogueAttending: Being fully present with the student; attending to verbal and non-verbal communication.

Deepening the DialogueAttending: Remaining fully present; being aware of one’s own verbal and non-verbal messages to the student.

Responding SkillsResponding Skills

Entering the DialogueResponding: Keeping the dialogue going; reducing stress; remaining non-judgmental; building trust.

Deepening the DialogueResponding: Affirming; checking for understanding; creating a sense of mutual problem-solving.

Decoding SkillsDecoding Skills

Entering the DialogueDecoding: Searching for the meaning behind the message; “listening” to what is not being said.

Deepening the DialogueDecoding: Connecting feeling and behavior; adding more meaning; leading student to insight.

Remember, During a crisis, Remember, During a crisis, act like a thermostat…not like act like a thermostat…not like a thermometer.a thermometer.

The Difference in The Difference in Psychological Worlds Psychological Worlds Between a Student in Stress Between a Student in Stress and a Helping Staff…and a Helping Staff…

THE PROCESS STAFF REACTION STUDENT REACTION

PERCEIVING DIVERSE MULTIDEMENSION

AL

CONCRETE ONE DEMENSIONAL

THINKING LOGICAL COGNITIVELY-

BASED

ILLOGICALIRRATIONAL TRAP

FEELING ACCEPTS AND CONTROLS

FLOODED EXPLOSIVE

BEHAVING ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEHAVIOR

DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEHAVIOR

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO TO THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO TO HELP A CHILD IS TO ALWAYS TREAT THEM HELP A CHILD IS TO ALWAYS TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT….EVEN WHEN THEY’RE WITH RESPECT….EVEN WHEN THEY’RE DISRESPECTFUL!DISRESPECTFUL!

They will not remember what we said…..They will not even remember what we did…..But they will never forget how we made them feel.

-Maya Angelou

How you say it is more How you say it is more important than what you important than what you say…say…

Facial Expression 55%

Tone of Voice 38%

Words 7%

Good Morning Timothy

The Art of DecodingThe Art of Decoding

On his first visit to kindergarten, while mother was still with him, Bruce, age five, looked over the paintings on the wall and asked loudly, "Who

made these ugly pictures?“ Mother was embarrassed. She looked at her son disapprovingly and hastened to tell him, "It's not nice to call the

pictures ugly when they are so pretty.“ The teacher, who understood the meaning of the question, smiled and said, "In here you don't have to

paint pretty pictures. You can paint mean pictures if you feel like it." A big smile appeared on Bruce's face, for now he had the answer to his

hidden question: "What happens to a boy who doesn't paint so well?“ Next Bruce picked up a broken fire engine and asked self-righteously,

"Who broke this fire engine?“ Mother answered, "What difference does it make to you who broke it? You don't know anyone here.“ Bruce was

not really interested in names. He wanted to find out what happened to boys who break toys. Understanding the question, the teacher gave

an appropriate answer: "Toys are for playing. Sometimes they get broken. It happens.“ Bruce seemed satisfied. His interviewing skill had

netted him the necessary information: "This grownup is pretty nice. She does not get angry quickly, even when a picture comes out ugly or a

toy is broken. I don't have to be afraid. It is safe to stay here." Bruce waved good-bye to his mother and went over to the teacher to start his

first day in kindergarten.

ESCALATING THE CONFLICT CYCLEESCALATING THE CONFLICT CYCLE

Stop “YOU” messages!• Can’t you do anything right?• With your attitude you’ll never amount to

anything!• You apologize immediately!• Don’t you dare speak to me like that!• Why do you have to be so disgusting?• You need to start acting your age!• You have no respect for anyone or anything!• You don’t listen to anyone, do you?• You are a disappointment to me, your friends,

and your family.• You never use your head!• You’re more trouble than you’re worth.

Student’s Self-Fulfilling Student’s Self-Fulfilling ProphesyProphesy

Once the adult responds in counter-aggressive, hostile, withdrawn or rejecting ways the student’s self-fulfilling prophesy ( SFP) is reinforced and strengthened.

The stage is set for the next interaction.

The SFP is a troubled student’s way of validating their beliefs and programming adults to behave in hostile ways.

DE-ESCALATING THE CONFLICT CYCLEDE-ESCALATING THE CONFLICT CYCLE

“I” messages are…Less likely to provoke more aggression.Less threatening to others.A model of honest exchange between people.More likely to open up communication.Helpful in interrupting a power struggle.Helpful in releasing adult stress in a helpful way.

When you use “I messages” you are modeling coping behavior and respect.

Students are more inclined to listen.

4 Adults Choices in 4 Adults Choices in Responding to Student Responding to Student BehaviorBehavior

1) Permit it

2) Tolerate it

3) Stop it

4) Prevent it

KIDS IN STRESSKIDS IN STRESSCREATE IN ADULTSCREATE IN ADULTSTHEIR FEELINGS, AND IF THEIR FEELINGS, AND IF NOT TRAINED, THE ADULTS NOT TRAINED, THE ADULTS WILL MIRROR THEIR WILL MIRROR THEIR BEHAVIORBEHAVIOR..

DON’T PICK UP THE ROPE!DON’T PICK UP THE ROPE!

Why We Become Counter-Why We Become Counter-AggressiveAggressiveCaught in the conflict cycleBeing in a bad moodPersonal irritabilityEmbarrassed for not meeting our professional expectations.

Fury due to personal helplessness. Student behavior triggers our own unfinished business.

Pre-judging a troubled student.Student violates our middle class values.

“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”

-Haim Ginott

How Can I Avoid the Power How Can I Avoid the Power Struggle?Struggle?

Nine Surface Management StrategiesNine Surface Management Strategies

1) Planned Ignoring- If the behavior is not reinforced, it will fade.

2) Proximity Control- Moving around the classroom while teaching can prevent the problem from starting.

3) Signal Interference- Quietly communicating to the student that you are aware of the behavior that’s leading to trouble can stop it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Nine Surface Management Nine Surface Management StrategiesStrategies

(Continued…)(Continued…)4) Interest Boosting- Learning

activities that appeal to a student’s interest helps keep him/her on task and out of trouble.

5) Support from Routine- A predictable environment reduces anxiety.

6) Support from Cognitive Restructuring- An adult who can read the feeling tone of the group can help change the perception from “glass half empty” to “glass half full”.

Nine Surface Management Nine Surface Management StrategiesStrategies

(Continued…)(Continued…)

7) Direct Appeal to Values- The group can have a positive influence on a members’ behavior.

8) Support Through Humor- Humor can sometimes attract students’ attention away from a growing problem.

9) Antiseptic Bouncing- As a student’s emotions begin to mount, re-direct him/her to another activity that can break the behavior chain.

SOMETIMES KIDS MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A

Don’t take it personally and Don’t

get angry….That’s what they want!

Debrief (Drain off) with staff, family, or friends. Take care

of yourself!