SRO Crisis Intervention & Conflict Resolution 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with autism spectrum disorder becomes overwhelmed by a fire drill and begins hitting their head against a locker. The SRO's BEST immediate response is to:
- Physically restrain the student to prevent self-injury
- Clear bystanders, reduce sensory stimulation, and speak calmly in short phrases (Correct answer)
- Contact the student's parents before intervening
- Issue a medical emergency call and step back entirely
Correct answer: Clear bystanders, reduce sensory stimulation, and speak calmly in short phrases
Reducing sensory stimulation and using calm, brief communication respects the student's neurological needs and helps de-escalate sensory overload.
Question 2: During a peer mediation session overseen by an SRO, one student becomes agitated and refuses to continue. The SRO should:
- Force both students to complete the mediation session
- Pause the session, allow the agitated student to cool down, and reassess readiness (Correct answer)
- Document a disciplinary report for the refusing student
- Immediately escalate to formal conflict resolution procedures
Correct answer: Pause the session, allow the agitated student to cool down, and reassess readiness
Mediation requires voluntary participation; pausing allows the student to regulate before the process can be productive.
Question 3: Which approach BEST aligns with a trauma-informed care framework when an SRO encounters a student who becomes aggressive after being touched unexpectedly?
- Apply a control hold to prevent further aggression
- Understand the reaction may be trauma-triggered and use verbal de-escalation with distance (Correct answer)
- Treat the aggression as a conduct violation and issue a citation
- Remove the student from the building as a safety measure
Correct answer: Understand the reaction may be trauma-triggered and use verbal de-escalation with distance
Trauma-informed care recognizes that unexpected physical contact can trigger trauma responses, requiring de-escalation with distance rather than physical intervention.
Question 4: In the context of school-based crisis intervention, 'stabilization' refers to:
- Placing a student in a secure holding area
- Returning a student to a safe, calm state where they can engage with support (Correct answer)
- Completing all documentation related to the incident
- Transferring responsibility to mental health professionals
Correct answer: Returning a student to a safe, calm state where they can engage with support
Stabilization means helping a student regain emotional equilibrium so they can participate in further support or intervention.
Question 5: A group of students begins verbally escalating a conflict in the cafeteria. An SRO uses positioning to stand between the groups rather than at the perimeter. This tactic is primarily intended to:
- Demonstrate authority to both groups
- Physically interrupt the conflict pathway and reduce direct eye contact between students (Correct answer)
- Allow the SRO to observe both groups simultaneously
- Signal to cafeteria staff that intervention is needed
Correct answer: Physically interrupt the conflict pathway and reduce direct eye contact between students
Positioning between parties interrupts the conflict pathway and reduces triggers like direct eye contact that can escalate confrontations.
Question 6: When applying the six-step crisis intervention model, which step immediately follows problem assessment?
- Developing an action plan
- Listening actively and showing empathy (Correct answer)
- Following up after intervention
- Referral to mental health services
Correct answer: Listening actively and showing empathy
After assessing the problem, the next step is to actively listen and show empathy to build rapport and gather more information.
Question 7: A student who has experienced domestic violence frequently acts out during unstructured time. A trauma-informed SRO would MOST likely recommend:
- Increased surveillance of the student during unstructured periods
- Structured activities and check-ins during unstructured time to reduce anxiety (Correct answer)
- Exclusionary discipline to address the disruptive behavior
- Mandatory counseling as a condition of school attendance
Correct answer: Structured activities and check-ins during unstructured time to reduce anxiety
Providing structure reduces the anxiety that unstructured time creates for trauma-exposed students, addressing root causes of behavior.
SRO Crisis Intervention & Conflict Resolution 3
A student with autism spectrum disorder becomes overwhelmed by a fire drill and begins hitting their head against a locker.
The SRO's BEST immediate response is to: