Behaviour Support Strategies for Children: A Practical Guide
Parenting a child with a disability or developmental delay comes with unique joys and unique challenges. When a child frequently engages in challenging behaviour—such as hitting, throwing items, or refusing to follow instructions—it can leave parents feeling exhausted and unsure of what to do next.
While every child is different, there are proven, evidence-based strategies that can help. At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth, works with families to implement practical strategies that reduce stress and improve quality of life.
In this guide, we will share some of the most effective Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies you can start using at home today.
The Golden Rule: Proactive is Better Than Reactive
The most important concept in Positive Behaviour Support is that proactive strategies (things you do before the behaviour happens) are far more effective than reactive strategies (things you do after the behaviour happens).
If you wait until your child is already upset or having a meltdown, it is too late to teach them a new skill. Their brain is in “fight or flight” mode, and they cannot process new information. The goal is to set up the environment so the challenging behaviour is not needed in the first place.
Here are five practical, proactive strategies you can use at home.
1. Use Visual Schedules and Timers
Many children with autism or developmental delays struggle with transitions (moving from one activity to another) and unpredictability. When they do not know what is coming next, their anxiety spikes, which often leads to challenging behaviour.
How to use this strategy:
– Visual Schedules: Create a simple picture board showing the steps of the day (e.g., Breakfast -> Get Dressed -> School -> Park -> Dinner). As each activity is finished, take the picture off the board. This makes time and expectations concrete.
– First/Then Boards: For smaller tasks, use a “First/Then” approach. “First put on your shoes, Then we can go to the park.” Use pictures to reinforce the message.
– Visual Timers: Use a sand timer or a visual timer app on your phone to show exactly how much time is left in an activity. “When the red disappears, iPad time is finished.”
2. Offer Meaningful Choices
Challenging behaviour is often a child’s way of trying to gain control over a world that feels out of their control. By offering choices throughout the day, you give them a sense of autonomy, which significantly reduces resistance.
How to use this strategy:
– Instead of giving a direct command (“Put on your shirt”), offer a choice between two acceptable options (“Do you want to wear the blue shirt or the red shirt today?”).
– Ensure both choices are things you are happy with. Do not offer a choice if one of the options is not actually available.
– Keep it simple. Offering too many choices can cause cognitive overload. Two options are usually best.
3. Catch Them Being Good (Positive Reinforcement)
It is easy to fall into the trap of only paying attention to your child when they are doing something wrong. However, children crave attention, and if they learn that acting out is the fastest way to get you to look at them, they will keep doing it.
How to use this strategy:
– Make a conscious effort to praise your child when they are doing the right thing, even if it is something small.
– Be specific with your praise. Instead of just saying “Good job,” say, “I love how quietly you are playing with your blocks,” or “Thank you for using your words to ask for the juice.”
– The goal is to make positive behaviour more rewarding than challenging behaviour.
4. Teach a Replacement Skill
If your child is using challenging behaviour to communicate a need, you must teach them a better way to communicate that same need. In PBS, this is called a “replacement skill.”
How to use this strategy:
– First, you need to understand the function of the behaviour. Why are they doing it?
– If they hit you when they want a toy (Function: Access to tangibles), teach them to point to the toy or hand you a picture card of the toy.
– If they scream when the room is too loud (Function: Escape), teach them to hand you a “Break” card or sign “finished.”
– Crucially, when they use the new skill, you must reward it immediately. If they hand you the “Break” card, let them leave the room right away. This teaches them that the new skill works better and faster than screaming.
5. Manage Sensory Input
Many challenging behaviours are driven by sensory processing differences. If a child is overwhelmed by sensory input, their behaviour will escalate.
How to use this strategy:
– Identify your child’s sensory triggers. Do they hate loud noises? Are they sensitive to bright lights or certain clothing tags?
– Modify the environment to reduce these triggers. Use noise-cancelling headphones in busy places, dim the lights at home, or cut the tags out of their shirts.
– Provide regular “sensory breaks” throughout the day to help them regulate their nervous system before they become overwhelmed.
When to Seek Professional Help
While these strategies are highly effective, implementing them consistently can be difficult, especially when you are exhausted. If your child’s behaviour is impacting their safety, your family’s wellbeing, or their ability to participate in the community, it is time to seek professional support.
If your child has an NDIS plan, you may be eligible for funding to work with a registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. They can conduct a formal assessment and develop a tailored Behaviour Support Plan specifically for your child.
How Behaviour Bridge Can Help
At Behaviour Bridge, we know that parents are the true experts on their children. Our role is to work alongside you, providing the tools, training, and support you need to make everyday life easier.
Julianne Shepley provides compassionate, evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support services for families across Perth. We focus on practical strategies that fit into your real life, helping your child build skills and reducing the stress in your home.
Ready to learn more strategies tailored to your child? Contact Behaviour Bridge today to discuss how Julianne Shepley and our Positive Behaviour Support services in Perth can support your family.
