DSP Crisis Prevention and Intervention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A person with autism begins covering their ears and rocking in a crowded, noisy environment. The BEST immediate DSP response is to:
- Redirect them to a group activity to distract from distress
- Move them to a quieter space and reduce sensory input (Correct answer)
- Encourage them to use words to express their feelings
- Wait and observe to determine if a crisis will develop
Correct answer: Move them to a quieter space and reduce sensory input
Sensory overload should be addressed by reducing stimulation; moving to a quieter space addresses the root cause.
Question 2: Which of the following represents a trauma-informed approach during a crisis?
- Using surprise restraint to prevent escalation
- Recognizing that behavior may be rooted in past trauma and responding with empathy (Correct answer)
- Withholding privileges until the person calms down
- Informing the person their behavior is unacceptable
Correct answer: Recognizing that behavior may be rooted in past trauma and responding with empathy
Trauma-informed care acknowledges that crisis behaviors often reflect past trauma and responds with empathy rather than punishment.
Question 3: Which statement BEST describes the concept of 'least restrictive intervention' in crisis response?
- Using the fewest staff members possible during a crisis
- Choosing the intervention that limits personal freedom the least while ensuring safety (Correct answer)
- Restricting the environment rather than the person
- Avoiding all physical contact regardless of safety risk
Correct answer: Choosing the intervention that limits personal freedom the least while ensuring safety
Least restrictive intervention means using the minimum level of restriction necessary to keep everyone safe.
Question 4: A DSP notices that a person's crises frequently occur on Monday mornings. The MOST proactive response is to:
- Schedule a staff meeting every Monday to prepare
- Analyze what happens over the weekend and adjust the transition routine (Correct answer)
- Increase supervision levels every Monday
- Document each Monday crisis and report to the supervisor
Correct answer: Analyze what happens over the weekend and adjust the transition routine
Identifying a pattern and analyzing its cause (e.g., weekend transition) allows the team to modify the environment or routine proactively.
Question 5: Which of the following is a contraindication for using a physical restraint on a person in crisis?
- The person is verbally aggressive but not physically dangerous (Correct answer)
- The person is destroying property worth more than $500
- The person refuses to follow staff directions for 10 minutes
- The person is threatening another individual
Correct answer: The person is verbally aggressive but not physically dangerous
Physical restraint is only justified when there is imminent physical danger; verbal aggression alone does not meet that threshold.
Question 6: After a crisis, a person appears quiet and withdrawn. The DSP should interpret this MOST accurately as:
- Resolution that requires no further attention
- Possible shame, exhaustion, or emotional processing that warrants gentle check-in (Correct answer)
- A behavior designed to avoid consequences
- Evidence that the crisis was not serious
Correct answer: Possible shame, exhaustion, or emotional processing that warrants gentle check-in
Post-crisis withdrawal often reflects shame or emotional exhaustion and warrants compassionate follow-up, not dismissal.
Question 7: The primary purpose of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) related to crisis prevention is to:
- Document the frequency of crisis episodes for insurance purposes
- Identify the function (purpose) of a behavior to guide prevention strategies (Correct answer)
- Determine appropriate consequences for challenging behavior
- Establish a baseline for measuring staff performance
Correct answer: Identify the function (purpose) of a behavior to guide prevention strategies
An FBA identifies why a behavior occurs (its function) so that the support plan can address the underlying need.
DSP Crisis Prevention and Intervention 3
A person with autism begins covering their ears and rocking in a crowded, noisy environment.
The BEST immediate DSP response is to: