1. Defusion Strategies.
• Give a clear statement of what you want: “ I want
you to....”
• Stick to your statement. Repeating as
necessary. (Stuck needle technique)
• Deflect the student’s responses, the ones that
undermine your statement: e.g. irrelevances,
arguing etc.
• Preface re-statements with recognition of their
view, “I’ve heard your reason for.......I want you
to.....”
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2. Defusion Strategies.
Choice Take up time
Gives pupils some Allows pupils not to lose
control over the face. Watching and
situation; is less likely waiting is, in a way,
to initiate point-blank issuing a challenge. We
refusal. need to be clear about
expectations.
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3. 3

4. Defusion Strategies
Partial agreement ‘When...then’ direction
‘Maybe you were This is trying to avoid the
talking about your work negative - 'No you
but now I would like cannot go out because
you to...' you have not finished
your work' becomes
'When you have finished
your work, then you can
go out'.
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5. Defusion Strategies
Privately understood Tactical ignoring
signals Appropriate for
For drawing the class attention-seeking
together or to monitor behaviour or 2nd, focus
the noise level. on 1st behaviour.
Praise the nearby
pupil..
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6. Defusion Strategies
Redirect behaviour Consequences &
sanctions
By reminding students In line with school
what they should be policy.
doing. Implemented clearly
Avoid getting bogged and consistently.
down in discussions •detention or ‘catch-
about what is wrong. up’ ??
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7. Defusion Strategies.
Deferred
consequences
Deal with issue later - it
removes the 'audience’.
Avoids confrontation.
A quiet 1:1 is more
likely to have a positive
outcome.
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