When children become overwhelmed by negative emotions, they sometimes express their distress by acting out – running, yelling, damaging property, or becoming aggressive towards themselves and/or others.  These situations can range from being distracting to dangerous.  This presentation will help nurses, counselors, and other school staff to:

• Understand the psychological and emotional vulnerabilities which can lead to a child becoming severely dysregulated

• Recognize the early indications of distress and adjust their actions to prevent or minimize the reaction

• Safely de-escalate a child who has become destructive or aggressive

• Assist the child and staff in developing an increased awareness of the triggers and coping skills, to reduce recurrence and promote self-regulation

​​