Planning a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) for high-intensity behaviors? This episode walks you through the 7 stages of the Crisis Cycle—and how to use it as a practical tool in your FBAs and behavior plans.

We’re talking real-world escalation, de-escalation, and everything in between: what the student actually does, how staff should respond, and how to keep your team aligned in high-stress situations.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• The Crisis Cycle is a predictable escalation pattern—and one of the most useful tools in behavior planning
• Define what each stage looks like for your student, not just in theory
• Staff strategies matter—wrong support at the wrong time can make it worse
• Always include recovery and exhaustion—don’t rush the student back to work
• Use the plan proactively and reflectively (after incidents)
• Invite input from families and staff, and update the plan as the student grows
• Trauma-informed care matters—touch and tone can trigger more than you realize

📚 Resources and Ideas
📝 Free Crisis Cycle Visual: Download here
📌 Related Episodes:
• Ep. 51 – Antecedent Strategies → abainschool.com/ep51
• Ep. 55 – Building Behavior Plans: Behavior Teaching → abainschool.com/ep55

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