What should a teacher do to address the escalating behavior of a second grader with ASD in the cafeteria?

The best approach in this scenario is to practice social stories with the student. Social stories are effective tools used to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder understand social norms, expected behaviors, and appropriate responses in various situations. By using social stories tailored to the cafeteria environment, the teacher can help the second grader visualize and comprehend what is expected during lunch, which can significantly reduce anxiety and confusion that may lead to escalating behavior.

This method allows the student to gain a better understanding of social interactions, such as waiting in line, sitting quietly, or dealing with peers, which are all common situations in a cafeteria setting. By pre-teaching these situations through engaging narratives, the student can be better prepared to handle them when they occur, promoting more positive behaviors and a smoother lunch experience.

While other options might be useful components of a broader behavior management strategy, they don't directly address the immediate need for social understanding in this specific context as effectively as social stories do.