Why do students sometimes go from calm to chaos in what feels like seconds and how can we help? This session will break down what’s happening in the brain during moments of stress, fear, and escalation. Participants will explore the two modes of arousal and gain insight into the phases of the escalation cycle. Most importantly, we’ll focus on what adults can do to prevent escalation, respond effectively in the moment, and support recovery in a way that builds trust and emotional safety. Walk away with practical tools to better understand and de-escalate challenging behaviors.