Alicia Ead
United States of America
Affiliation:
Presentation Title:
Beyond Crisis Management: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Regulation, Prevention, and De-Escalation
Abstract:
Behavioral escalation is frequently addressed through reactive crisis management rather than prevention-focused, trauma-informed intervention. Across educational, clinical, and community-based settings, professionals are increasingly supporting youth with complex emotional, behavioral, sensory, and regulatory needs while simultaneously navigating workforce stress, secondary trauma, and burnout. This presentation introduces a practical, regulation-focused framework designed to reduce escalation, strengthen emotional safety, and promote sustainable behavioral health support systems. Drawing from real-world implementation across school-based and community behavioral health settings, the session examines how trauma, stress, sensory overload, communication barriers, and lagging self-regulation skills influence behavior and crisis responses. Participants will explore evidence-informed strategies that support prevention and deescalation, including environmental modification, co-regulation, sensory-informed supports, visual structures, functional communication, emotional regulation tools, and reflective post-crisis practices. The presentation emphasizes shifting from compliancedriven responses toward approaches grounded in psychological safety, connection, predictability, and skill development.
Biography
Alicia Ead, LICSW is the Supervisor of School-Based Services for the Bradley Learning Exchange at Bradley Hospital/Brown Health and Co-Founder and Assistant Director of the Public Safety Special Needs Coalition. She is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience supporting schools, educators, students, and families through trauma-informed, prevention-focused behavioral health services. Alicia specializes in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), social-emotional learning (SEL), crisis prevention, autism supports, restorative practices, and educator wellness. She has developed and implemented school-based consultation models, district-wide professional development initiatives, and community partnerships that strengthen school climate, safety, and student well-being. Drawing from both her professional expertise and lived experience as a parent and advocate, Alicia is passionate about helping schools create inclusive, compassionate, and resilient learning environments where all students can thrive.