TCI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TCI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In TCI, mindfulness as a self-regulation tool helps caregivers by: → Increasing awareness of present-moment thoughts and sensations without judgment
2. In TCI, positive behavior support primarily refers to: → Using a strengths-based, proactive approach to prevent challenges and teach new skills
3. The goals of crisis intervention are to _______ and ________. → Support & Teach
4. Why is "time away" considered an important technique in behavioral support? → It provides space for reflection and self-regulation.
5. What is the purpose of "hurdle help" in behavioral support techniques? → To lower stress by assisting youth with their problems
6. Staff-to-youth power imbalances create ethical risk primarily because they can: → Lead to misuse of authority and undermine the therapeutic relationship
7. In TCI, how does knowledge of a young person's trauma history help prevent crises? → It helps staff identify specific triggers and develop targeted prevention strategies
8. TCI's behavior support hierarchy is designed around which foundational ethical principle? → All people have the right to the least restrictive effective intervention
9. A young person who typically acts out before lunch each day is most likely experiencing: → A predictable stress trigger related to hunger or schedule transitions
10. TCI emphasizes conducting a post-crisis debrief in a blame-free environment primarily because: → Blame suppresses honest reflection and prevents genuine learning from the incident
11. In TCI's Stress Model of Crisis, the baseline phase represents: → A young person's typical, regulated state before any significant stressor is encountered
12. Chronic exposure to trauma can lead to an overactive amygdala. How does this typically manifest in a child's behavior? → A persistent state of fear and hypervigilance
13. In TCI, which level of intervention should be exhausted FIRST before escalating to more restrictive approaches? → Preventive and proactive strategies
14. A residential program's incident report for a physical intervention must typically be submitted to licensing authorities within what timeframe? → 24 hours or by the next business day, per most state regulations
15. What is the primary goal of a trauma-informed approach within the TCI system? → To create an environment of physical and psychological safety
16. Which TCI principle supports the idea that a caregiver's calm demeanor can help regulate a young person in crisis? → Co-regulation
17. Which of the following is NOT a goal of emotional first aid? → Create a comprehensive long-term therapy plan
18. Which principle guides TCI's approach to behavior intervention hierarchy? → Every intervention must prioritize the dignity and safety of the young person
19. TCI teaches that chronic trauma exposure can impair a young person's ability to regulate emotions because it damages which critical developmental capacity? → The developing prefrontal cortex's ability to manage emotional responses
20. The primary purpose of reviewing an ICMP after a crisis event is to: → Assess whether the plan was effective and update it based on what was learned
21. According to TCI, a physical intervention should only be used when: → There is an imminent risk of serious physical harm to self or others.
22. Which of the following is the MOST effective long-term crisis prevention strategy in TCI? → Developing trauma-informed individual crisis management plans for each young person
23. Which post-crisis activity specifically helps a young person develop insight into their own crisis patterns? → Conducting a Life Space Interview to explore the sequence of events and feelings
24. Which best illustrates a proactive strategy in TCI's behavior support hierarchy? → Creating a sensory-friendly environment to reduce overstimulation
25. A caregiver who shares genuine, age-appropriate personal examples during conversations with a young person is practicing: → Therapeutic self-disclosure that builds authentic connection
26. What is positional asphyxia, and why is it a critical risk during physical restraints? → Suffocation resulting from body position that restricts breathing.
27. In the TCI Intervention Hierarchy, when are 'Safety Interventions' such as physical restraint permitted? → When a child poses an immediate, serious danger to self or others.
28. TCI teaches that the behaviors of traumatized young people should be understood as: → Adaptive survival responses that made sense in a dangerous past context
29. According to TCI, which is a key element of trauma-informed crisis intervention? → Prioritizing physical and emotional safety, predictability, and trusting relationships
30. The primary goal of a therapeutic physical intervention is to: → Ensure safety and help the young person regain control.