What Is Positive Behaviour Support?
When a child or adult with a disability exhibits challenging behaviour, it can be overwhelming for families, carers, and support workers. You might feel like you have tried everything, yet the difficult situations keep happening. This is where Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) comes in.
Positive Behaviour Support is an evidence-based, person-centred approach that aims to improve a person’s quality of life while reducing behaviours of concern. Rather than focusing on punishing “bad” behaviour, PBS focuses on understanding why the behaviour is happening and teaching new, positive ways for the person to get their needs met.
At Behaviour Bridge, led by Julianne Shepley, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth, we work closely with families and NDIS participants to implement PBS strategies that create real, lasting change. In this guide, we will explain what Positive Behaviour Support is, how it works, and how it can help your family.
The Core Philosophy of Positive Behaviour Support
To understand Positive Behaviour Support, it is helpful to look at its core philosophy. PBS is built on the belief that all behaviour is a form of communication. When someone engages in challenging behaviour—whether it is aggression, self-injury, property destruction, or running away—they are usually trying to tell us something. They might be saying, “I’m overwhelmed,” “I’m in pain,” “I want that item,” or “I need a break.”
Traditional behaviour management often focuses on stopping the behaviour through consequences or punishment. However, this approach rarely works long-term because it does not address the underlying need. If a child is hitting because they are overwhelmed by a noisy environment, punishing them for hitting does not make the environment any less noisy.
Positive Behaviour Support takes a different approach. Instead of asking, “How do we stop this behaviour?” PBS asks, “What is this person trying to communicate, and how can we help them communicate it in a safer way?”
How Does Positive Behaviour Support Work?
The PBS process is highly individualised. What works for one person may not work for another, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach is never effective. The process typically involves several key steps, guided by a qualified Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner.
1. Information Gathering and Assessment
The first step in PBS is to gather as much information as possible about the person and their behaviour. This is often done through a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA). The practitioner will observe the person, speak with family members, teachers, and support workers, and review any relevant reports.
The goal of this assessment is to identify the “function” of the behaviour. Why is it happening? What triggers it? What happens immediately after the behaviour that might be reinforcing it? Understanding the function is the foundation of any successful PBS strategy.
2. Developing a Behaviour Support Plan
Once the function of the behaviour is understood, the practitioner will develop a Behaviour Support Plan (BSP). This is a comprehensive document that outlines specific strategies to support the person.
A good Behaviour Support Plan will include:
– Proactive Strategies: Changes to the environment or routine to prevent the behaviour from happening in the first place. This might include using visual schedules, reducing sensory input, or providing more choices.
– Skill-Building Strategies: Teaching the person new skills to replace the challenging behaviour. For example, teaching a child to use a communication card to ask for a break instead of throwing items.
– Reactive Strategies: Safe, respectful ways to respond when the behaviour does occur, ensuring the safety of the person and those around them.
3. Implementation and Training
A Behaviour Support Plan is only effective if it is implemented consistently. The practitioner will work closely with the person’s support network—including parents, teachers, and support workers—to train them on the strategies outlined in the plan. This collaborative approach ensures that everyone is on the same page and responding to the behaviour in a consistent way.
4. Monitoring and Review
Behaviour changes over time, and so should the support strategies. The practitioner will regularly monitor the person’s progress, review the data, and make adjustments to the plan as needed. This ongoing review process ensures that the strategies remain effective and relevant to the person’s current needs.
Why Choose Positive Behaviour Support?
There are many reasons why Positive Behaviour Support is considered the gold standard for addressing challenging behaviour in people with disabilities.
It Is Person-Centred
PBS places the individual at the centre of the process. It respects their rights, dignity, and preferences. The goal is not to force the person to conform to neurotypical expectations, but rather to support them to live a fulfilling life on their own terms.
It Focuses on Quality of Life
The primary goal of PBS is to improve the person’s quality of life. When a person is happy, engaged, and having their needs met, challenging behaviours naturally decrease. PBS strategies often involve increasing access to preferred activities, improving communication skills, and building meaningful relationships.
It Is Evidence-Based
Positive Behaviour Support is grounded in the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), but it incorporates principles from person-centred planning and inclusion. Decades of research have shown that PBS is highly effective in reducing challenging behaviour and improving outcomes for people with disabilities.
It Reduces the Need for Restrictive Practices
In some cases, challenging behaviour can lead to the use of restrictive practices, such as physical restraint or seclusion. These practices are highly regulated under the NDIS and should only be used as a last resort. PBS provides proactive, positive alternatives that significantly reduce the need for restrictive practices, keeping everyone safer.
Positive Behaviour Support and the NDIS
In Australia, Positive Behaviour Support is a funded support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It falls under the Capacity Building category of “Improved Relationships.”
If you or your child has an NDIS plan, you can use this funding to engage a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. The practitioner will work with you to develop and implement a Behaviour Support Plan, providing the guidance and training your family needs.
Navigating the NDIS can be confusing, but understanding how NDIS behaviour support funding works is the first step toward accessing the help you need.
How Behaviour Bridge Can Help
At Behaviour Bridge, we understand that living with challenging behaviour can be exhausting and isolating. We are here to help you build a bridge to a better quality of life.
Julianne Shepley is a dedicated Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner based in Perth, Western Australia. With a deep understanding of autism, developmental delays, and the NDIS, Julianne provides compassionate, evidence-based support to families and individuals across Perth.
Whether you need a comprehensive Functional Behaviour Assessment, a tailored Behaviour Support Plan, or training for your support workers, Behaviour Bridge is committed to working alongside you every step of the way.
If you are looking for Positive Behaviour Support in Perth, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can create a supportive environment where your loved one can thrive.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Behaviour Bridge today to discuss how Julianne Shepley and our Positive Behaviour Support services in Perth can support your family.
