Key Concepts of the Low Arousal Approach
The Low Arousal approach enables professionals, carers and family members to deal with and manage challenging behaviours. The approach empowers the individual or team to focus on the ‘person’ in the situation, identify the causes, stresses and triggers of the behaviour, and use proven low arousal skills to reduce the aggression.
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Whilst many individuals may claim that they have expertise in the Low Arousal Approach, the only organisation that officially runs specialist training courses is Studio 3 Training Systems.
Practical Applications
Low Arousal has a number of practical applications. For example, it can be applied in educational settings for young people and older adults, as well as supporting people with mental health problems, acquired brain injuries, and a range of developmental differences.
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There are several key concepts which make up the Low Arousal approach, including reflective practice, attitudes, crisis management, stress, control, restraint reduction, humanism and mindfulness.
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What links all of these core concepts together is the overarching message of Low Arousal, which is to cultivate kindness, empathy and understanding when supporting vulnerable people. Low Arousal means stepping back, giving people space, and reflecting on the ways in which we can help to give them a better life and increase their well-being. Low Arousal means forgiveness, and recognising that some individuals are not in control of their behaviour. It means being pro-active, rather than re-active practitioners. It means planning, not prohibiting.