Understanding Behavior: A Framework for Intervention
Rage Cycle
When behavioral episodes occur, there is a pattern to the event that is referred to as the Rage Cycle. This begins with a Rumbling stage of dysregulation. If dysregulation continues, a Rage stage occurs followed by a Recovery stage. Learn about each of these stages and the types of interventions and supports that may be helpful in each stage.

Watch
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What is the Rage Cycle?
Learn about the stages that take place when a behavioral episode occurs.
Video: What is the Rage Cycle
The audio in this video describes all relevant visual information. Audio description is not needed for this video.
What is Audio Description (AD)?
When AD is enabled, descriptive language narrates what is on the screen. To learn more, visit our accessibility webpage.
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Accessibility: We strive to make this website accessible for all users, including people with disabilities. We test and modify this website for optimal usability. If you have any accessibility questions or find any pages on our website that pose accessibility barriers, please contact support@ocali.org.
Captions / Transcript
After hitting play you can access an interactive transcript for this video by selecting the Show Transcript icon
in the top right corner of the video when you select play.
You can turn on captions by selecting the Enable Captions icon
in the bottom right corner. Captions can also be turned on by selecting the Settings icon
, where you can also set your caption preferences.
When available, you can use Spanish subtitles for this video by selecting Settings
and choosing Spanish in the Captions drop down menu.
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The Rage Cycle: The Rumbling Stage
Explore the first stage of the Rage Cycle and identify strategies that could be helpful to avoid a behavioral escalation.
Video: The Rage Cycle: The Rumbling Stage
The audio in this video describes all relevant visual information. Audio description is not needed for this video.
What is Audio Description (AD)?
When AD is enabled, descriptive language narrates what is on the screen. To learn more, visit our accessibility webpage.
Video Player Help
Kaltura Video Hosting: This website uses Kaltura, a video hosting company, to serve video content. If you are having difficulty viewing videos on this site, it may mean that your location (e.g., school district, organization) is blocking or filtering the Kaltura website. Please contact your IT personnel to resolve this issue.
Accessibility: We strive to make this website accessible for all users, including people with disabilities. We test and modify this website for optimal usability. If you have any accessibility questions or find any pages on our website that pose accessibility barriers, please contact support@ocali.org.
Captions / Transcript
After hitting play you can access an interactive transcript for this video by selecting the Show Transcript icon
in the top right corner of the video when you select play.
You can turn on captions by selecting the Enable Captions icon
in the bottom right corner. Captions can also be turned on by selecting the Settings icon
, where you can also set your caption preferences.
When available, you can use Spanish subtitles for this video by selecting Settings
and choosing Spanish in the Captions drop down menu.
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The Rage Cycle: The Rage Stage
Explore the second stage of the Rage Cycle and identify supports and strategies to assist the youth during this stage.
Video: The Rage Cycle: The Rage Stage
The audio in this video describes all relevant visual information. Audio description is not needed for this video.
What is Audio Description (AD)?
When AD is enabled, descriptive language narrates what is on the screen. To learn more, visit our accessibility webpage.
Video Player Help
Kaltura Video Hosting: This website uses Kaltura, a video hosting company, to serve video content. If you are having difficulty viewing videos on this site, it may mean that your location (e.g., school district, organization) is blocking or filtering the Kaltura website. Please contact your IT personnel to resolve this issue.
Accessibility: We strive to make this website accessible for all users, including people with disabilities. We test and modify this website for optimal usability. If you have any accessibility questions or find any pages on our website that pose accessibility barriers, please contact support@ocali.org.
Captions / Transcript
After hitting play you can access an interactive transcript for this video by selecting the Show Transcript icon
in the top right corner of the video when you select play.
You can turn on captions by selecting the Enable Captions icon
in the bottom right corner. Captions can also be turned on by selecting the Settings icon
, where you can also set your caption preferences.
When available, you can use Spanish subtitles for this video by selecting Settings
and choosing Spanish in the Captions drop down menu.
-
The Rage Cycle: The Recovery Stage
Explore the third stage of the Rage Cycle and identify supports that will assist the youth to regulate and function.
Video: The Rage Cycle: The Recovery Stage
The audio in this video describes all relevant visual information. Audio description is not needed for this video.
What is Audio Description (AD)?
When AD is enabled, descriptive language narrates what is on the screen. To learn more, visit our accessibility webpage.
Video Player Help
Kaltura Video Hosting: This website uses Kaltura, a video hosting company, to serve video content. If you are having difficulty viewing videos on this site, it may mean that your location (e.g., school district, organization) is blocking or filtering the Kaltura website. Please contact your IT personnel to resolve this issue.
Accessibility: We strive to make this website accessible for all users, including people with disabilities. We test and modify this website for optimal usability. If you have any accessibility questions or find any pages on our website that pose accessibility barriers, please contact support@ocali.org.
Captions / Transcript
After hitting play you can access an interactive transcript for this video by selecting the Show Transcript icon
in the top right corner of the video when you select play.
You can turn on captions by selecting the Enable Captions icon
in the bottom right corner. Captions can also be turned on by selecting the Settings icon
, where you can also set your caption preferences.
When available, you can use Spanish subtitles for this video by selecting Settings
and choosing Spanish in the Captions drop down menu.

Activities
Supports During The Rage Cycle
Explore possible supports that may be used for each stage of the Rage Cycle. What additional supports might you consider using? Click on each section below to view the supports.

Rumbling
- Quiet sensory breaks
- Visual choices
- Reduce verbal communication – increase visual information
- Calm controlled movement (rocking, walking)
- Access to calming sensory items
- Support of regulated safe adult within 6 feet
Rage
- Safety measures
- No talking
- Quiet environments
- Support of regulated safe adult within 6 feet
- Access to calming sensory items
- No demands
Recovery
- Quiet calm environment
- Visual supports for communication
- Access to regulated safe adult

Downloads
Unpacking the Rage Cycle
Use this tool to help develop a support plan for a youth by describing each stage of the Rage Cycle and the strategies that will assist the youth during the cycle.

Download Unpacking the Rage Cycle