Minimizing Escalation by Treating Dangerous Problem Behavior Within an Enhanced Choice Model

Rajaraman et al. (2022) worked with five children who showed dangerous problem behavior.

The team let each child pick one of three options before every teaching trial: join the lesson, take free toys and snacks without working, or leave the room.

No one used physical holds, mechanical restraints, or blocking—kids simply walked away if they wanted.

Every child chose to stay and learn once the choice was on the table.

Dangerous behavior dropped to zero during teaching sessions.

The new skills—like asking for a break or following instructions—lasted weeks later without any restraints.

Older studies used physical control. Hamilton et al. (1978) showed that holding a child could stop self-injury, but Rajaraman proves the same zero level can be reached with zero restraint.

Lord et al. (1997) first gave kids a tiny choice—nondirective prompts plus free goodies—and saw escape behavior fade. Rajaraman widens that idea into a full three-option menu for any task.

Laposa et al. (2017) taught detained teens self-control plus DRL to gain quiet compliance. The enhanced-choice model offers those youths a restraint-free alternative that might work even faster.

You can dump the holds and still keep everyone safe. Next time a learner hits or runs, offer a real choice: work, chill, or walk. When staying becomes the kid’s own pick, problem behavior often stops cold and the skills you teach actually stick.