SSW Crisis Intervention & Mental Health 4

Question 1

During a school lockdown, a student with autism spectrum disorder becomes severely dysregulated due to sensory overload and begins self-injurious behavior. The social worker's BEST immediate approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Move the student to a quieter space if safe, use low-stimulation calming strategies, and engage familiar support person

Answer

Students with ASD in crisis benefit from reduced sensory input, consistent familiar support, and individualized de-escalation strategies rather than restraint or verbal processing.

Question 2

Which trauma-informed principle is violated when a school disciplinary process punishes a student without first considering whether the behavior may be trauma-related?

Accepted Answer

Recognition that behavior may be a trauma response

Answer

Trauma-informed practice requires recognizing that challenging behaviors may be manifestations of trauma rather than willful misconduct.

Question 3

A social worker is conducting a mental health screening after a school shooting. A student scores high on a PTSD screening measure but adamantly refuses services. The social worker should:

Accepted Answer

Respect the refusal, provide psychoeducation about trauma, leave door open for future contact, and notify parents per school policy

Answer

Honoring student autonomy while maintaining connection, providing education, and involving family reflects trauma-informed ethical practice for youth who decline services.

Question 4

The concept of 'means restriction' in suicide prevention refers to:

Accepted Answer

Reducing a student's access to lethal methods such as firearms or medications

Answer

Means restriction involves reducing access to lethal methods and is one of the most evidence-based strategies in suicide prevention.

Question 5

A school social worker is part of a crisis response team activated after a student's death by suicide. Which of the following is a KEY principle of school-based postvention?

Accepted Answer

Provide support to grieving students while avoiding contagion-risk behaviors such as memorialization at school

Answer

Effective postvention supports students in grief while avoiding practices like prominent memorialization that can romanticize suicide and increase contagion risk.

(SSW) School Social Worker Practice Test

(SSW) School Social Worker Practice Test

SSW Crisis Intervention & Mental Health 4