From Escalation to Regulation
How to Prevent, De-escalate and Support Aggressive Behavior in School
When: In Person - March 18, 2027
Description
Every aggressive behavior tells a story—but are we listening to the right one? Rather than viewing aggression as defiance or non-compliance, this practical workshop explores the underlying neurodevelopmental, emotional, sensory, and environmental factors that contribute to physical aggression in school settings. Participants will learn to recognize early warning signs of escalation, understand the roles of stress, sensory processing, executive functioning, communication, trauma, and emotional regulation, and respond using evidence-informed, relationship-based strategies that promote safety while maintaining student dignity. Through real classroom examples, case discussions, and practical intervention tools, educators will learn how to prevent escalation, de-escalate challenging situations, and build classrooms that foster regulation, resilience, and positive behavior. Designed specifically for teachers and school professionals, this workshop equips participants with immediately applicable strategies to confidently support students with complex behavioral needs while creating calmer, safer, and more connected learning environments.
Outline / Agenda:
9.00 to 10.30am Understanding Escalation
Why Aggression happens before it happens
10.30 to 11.00am Morning Break
11.00 to 12.30pm Prevention through Regulation
Creating Classrooms that Reduce Aggression before it starts
12.30 to 1.30pm Lunch
1.30 to 3.00pm Responding in the Moment
Practical De-escalation Strategies that preserve Safety and Relationships
3.00 to 3.30pm Afternoon Break
3.30 to 5.00pm Beyond the Incident
Building Resilience, Emotional Safety and Long-Term Change
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Analyze the neurodevelopmental, sensory, emotional, and environmental factors that contribute to aggressive behavior and differentiate between behavior that reflects dysregulation, communication difficulties, developmental differences, and intentional non-compliance.
- Evaluate classroom environments and implement proactive strategies that strengthen emotional regulation, predictability, sensory regulation, and positive teacher–student relationships to reduce the likelihood of behavioral escalation.
- Apply evidence-informed de-escalation strategies that promote safety, preserve student dignity, and support co-regulation while responding effectively to aggressive behavior in classroom settings.
- Design classroom-based support plans that integrate relationship-based practices, collaborative problem-solving, and self-regulation strategies to promote resilience, emotional safety, and sustainable behavioral change following behavioral incidents
Provider Name: Bridging Talents ([email protected] )
Presenter: Maude Le Roux, OTR/L, SIPT, ADHD-RSP, DIR Champion and Expert Training Leader
Bio: Maude Le Roux is a global trainer in multiple methodologies and a mentor to therapists from multidisciplinary teams. She opened her practice, A Total Approach in Glen Mills, PA, USA in 2001. Maude started her training career in 2007 and opened her online academy in 2019. She has designed the Developmental Pathways Model (DPM), which she applies to her own unique assessment and intervention protocol for major diagnosis such as Dyspraxia, ADHD and Executive Functions, Autism, Reading and Writing Disorders, and Trauma and Attachment. Maude served 9 years on the Board of Directors for ATTACh and currently serves on their Advisory Board. She also serves on the Advisory Board for LSWorks (Neuralign program). She is a co-author of two books and more recently wrote a chapter on Trauma and the Body in “Healing Connections” which launched in September 2024. Maude received an award for “Continued child advocacy” through the ATTACh organization in September 2024. She also received the Champion Award through ICDL in November 2024. Maude has a “whole child” approach to care and intervention and equipping the child, while empowering the parent is at the core of who she is as a clinician and trainer.
Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Educators
Educational Level: Intermediary
Instructional Methods: PowerPoint, Group Discussion, Video
Contact Hours: 6 hours
