When is it appropriate to use elbow checks?

Elbow checks are appropriate primarily as a preventive measure to avoid aggressive behaviors such as biting. This technique involves using your elbow to create a physical barrier or to block an aggressive maneuver, allowing for a safer interaction when a person is exhibiting potentially harmful behaviors. In situations where an individual might be biting, elbow checks provide a way to protect oneself and maintain safety without escalating the situation further.

In contrast, using elbow checks during physical restraint could lead to misunderstandings and further aggression, while performing them during calm interactions may disrupt the peaceful environment and escalate tensions unnecessarily. Similarly, using them in positive interaction strategies would not align with the goals of promoting trust and rapport, as the focus of those strategies is to foster positive engagement rather than physical blocking tactics.