Least Amount of Interaction – What Does that Mean?
The RCT curriculum of The Mandt System, teaches the crisis cycle and provides the most effective response based on what stage the person is in the crisis cycle. When individuals are at the top of the crisis cycle, the crisis phase, the most effective response is to use the least amount of interaction necessary for safety. I had a very real opportunity to translate that from concept to practice.
Walking up the closed stairwell to my floor in the hotel, I heard what sounded like a family in the hallway. Suddenly a child about 4 years old ran through the door and entered the stairwell. Concerned that the unescorted child might run, not only down the stairs but into the parking lot and potentially into the street, I wanted to intervene to keep the child safe. I was also aware and concerned that many parents are not comfortable with strangers touching their children! Instead of putting my hands on the child, I used body positioning to step in front of the child, creating a physical barrier which prevented the child from going down the stairs. The child moved to the outside of my leg but I shifted and used a step slide to stay in front of the child. The child once again tried to move around to my other side and once again I shifted to stay in front of him. At this point the child began to beat my legs and yell at which time his mother heard him and called him back into the hallway.
This very simple technique allowed me to keep the child safe without having to touch him, potentially escalating the situation and angering his parents. It is a clear demonstration of how using the least amount of interaction can provide safety for all individuals involved in the situation.
Aaryce Hayes – SVP Operations
