March 20, 2026 min
16 min
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Most incidents don’t appear out of nowhere.
Before shouting, aggression, or emotional outbursts, there is often a series of subtle signals – the small moments Andy describes as the “click, click, click” stage of escalation.
When carers, teachers, or parents notice those signals early, they have a chance to intervene calmly and prevent the situation from becoming a crisis.
In this episode of the Able to Care Podcast, Andy Baker explores why behaviour escalation often begins in the nervous system, and how recognising early signs can dramatically improve outcomes for everyone involved.
Behaviour that looks deliberate or confrontational is often the result of physiological stress responses. When someone moves into fight, flight, freeze or fawn, their thinking brain begins to shut down.
That’s why reasoning, lecturing or demanding explanations in the middle of distress often makes situations worse rather than better.
This episode explores how recognising early signals – such as restlessness, repetitive questions, pacing, or irritability – can help caregivers respond with empathy and practical support rather than confrontation.
Andy shares four simple but powerful approaches that can help reduce escalation and support emotional regulation.
These strategies are designed to work across multiple environments, including homes, schools, and care settings.
When we only respond to behaviour once it becomes disruptive or dangerous, we are already dealing with the consequences rather than the causes.
By paying attention to early signals and environmental triggers, caregivers can shift from constantly “firefighting” behaviour to creating conditions that reduce distress in the first place.
This proactive approach is particularly relevant for people affected by trauma, neurodiversity, dementia, or mental health challenges, where emotional regulation can become overwhelmed quickly.
This conversation is especially valuable for:
If you’ve ever felt like behaviour “came out of nowhere”, this episode will help you understand what may have been happening before the crisis.
If you want fewer major incidents, start paying attention to the small signals.
Behaviour rarely begins at the point where we notice it. The real opportunities for support often happen earlier – in the moments when someone is quietly struggling.
Learning to recognise those signals can change the entire trajectory of a situation.
If you’d like to develop these skills further, the Able Target System (ATS) provides a structured framework for understanding behaviour, improving de-escalation skills, and creating safer environments in care, education, and support settings.
