Creating positive change through positive behaviour support
If you’re supporting a child who is experiencing behaviours that are challenging, it can be exhausting, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a gentle, respectful and evidence-based approach that can help.
Rather than focusing on “stopping” a behaviour, PBS aims to understand why it’s happening—and then work with you to create strategies that help your child feel safe and supported.
What’s the goal of Positive Behaviour Support?
The goal of PBS is to improve quality of life for the individual and those around them. It’s about helping them:
- feel calm, safe and understood
- communicate their needs in more positive ways
- learn new skills to replace behaviours of concern
- be included in everyday life at home, school, and in the community
Why do behaviours of concern happen?
Challenging behaviours are often a way of communicating. The individual you’re supporting might want to:
- gain social engagement
- gain tangibles or activities
- escape or avoid someone or something
- gain sensory stimulation
- meet a physical need (e.g. to get out of pain)
PBS works to uncover these triggers and help everyone understand what the behaviour is communicating.
What does Positive Behaviour Support look like?
A behaviour support practitioner will take time to learn about the child in your care—their likes, dislikes, strengths, and needs. Through observation and discussion with family, carers, support workers or teachers, the practitioner will explore what might be triggering the behaviour.
A personalised plan is developed with positive strategies to support the individual, help them learn new skills, and reduce triggers. Families, carers, and other people in the child’s life are supported to use the strategies consistently, with kindness and care. As the child grows and changes, the plan is reviewed to make sure it still fits their needs.
How can PBS help?
- reduces stress at home and in public settings
- strengthens the connection between the child and the people supporting them
- helps you feel more confident and supported as a parent or carer
- encourages a child’s independence and participation in everyday life
Getting started with PBS through the NDIS
If someone you support is an NDIS participant, they may be eligible for Positive Behaviour Support under Improved Relationships or Capacity Building funding. You’ll need a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner to develop a plan.
Tom’s Journey – a PBS success story
Tom is a teenager who initially presented with frequent physical aggression, verbal outbursts, and property destruction. He was socially withdrawn, spending much of his free time isolated in his bedroom. A Gateways Behaviour Support Practitioner, worked collaboratively with Tom and his family to develop a Behaviour Support Plan. A range of proactive and person-centred strategies were implemented to help Tom regain a sense of autonomy and stability. The plan prioritised giving Tom voice, choice, and control, while also equipping his family and school with the tools needed to support him in a consistent, respectful, and empowering way.
Since the implementation of these supports, Tom has made significant and meaningful progress. He has taken on a leadership role as school captain, participates in boxing lessons twice a week, and engages in weekend social activities that he thoroughly enjoys. In addition, Tom has started earning his own income through casual employment, increasing his independence, and reducing his financial reliance on his family.
To find out more click HERE or to request a Positive Behaviour Support Referral Form, please email behavioursupport@gateways.com.au.
