What to do in the "Heat of the Moment"

IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT INTERVENTION


FOUR STEPS IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT
What to do in the heat of the moment when a tantrum or meltdown is occurring

Step 1 – Be Calm
Step 2 – Validate – Accept and Acknowledge
Step 3 -- Identify
Step 4 – Provide Help


Step 1. Be a Calming Presence

Be calm yourself. Step back from the situation, take a deep breath, and think before you react.

Step 2. Validate. (Be Accepting)

Validation is the act of letting the person know that you understand, acknowledge, and empathize with and accept his/her thoughts, feelings and behavior.

Step 3 – Identify

Identify the emotional experience -- help the person label the emotion

Step 4 – Help

Help the person learn that he or she can get help from you when he/she is upset and to help him/her manage his/her feelings -- anger, sadness, fear, or joy.

More detaied information is in the process of development