Positive Behaviour Support is an evidence-based approach with the primary goal of increasing a person's quality of life and a secondary goal of decreasing frequency and severity of their challenging behaviours. You may have spotted the allocation of funding in your NDIS plan to "Improved Relationships (CB Relationships)" which makes reference to behaviour support intervention. These funds can be used to discuss, assess, implement and coach you through a Positive Behaviour Support Plan.
Key Principles of Positive Behaviour Support:
Strengths-based and person-centered approach.
Focuses on reducing challenging behaviours.
Acknowledges that all behaviours serve a function.
Identifies that an individuals challenging behaviours can be changed to more socially acceptable behaviours.
Acknowledges that individuals have the capacity to change and achieve success.
Draws upon parents, care-givers and supports to be the agents of change.
What is a challenging behaviour?
Challenging behaviour is anything that a person keeps doing that makes life difficult for them or stops them from doing things. It is referred to as 'challenging' as it challenges everyone who supports the person to understand why it is happening and work together to help the person.
What are some reasons we see challenging behaviour?
To gain access to something
To avoid or escape something
To gain social attention
To gain sensory stimulation
Relief from pain or discomfort
How can PBS help me and my child?
Help the person understand their daily life using clearer ways of communicating with them such as introducing a picture schedule
Chang the environment to make where they live and work better for him or her (such as reducing high noise levels)
Improve the person’s lifestyle so they have more interesting and enjoyable activities to keep them involved and connected with their community, such as helping the person gain employment and supporting recreational or other activities of interest
Changing the environment so the person is involved in meaningful and positive relationships with others.
What are Restrictive Practices?
A Restrictive practice is defined in the National framework for reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practices in the disability service sector as being "any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting rights and freedom of movement or a person with disability, with the primary purpose of protecting the person from harm" (Australian Government, 2014, p.4).
Behaviour Support Practitioners may encounter existing restrictive practices being used with a person or may be required to recommend a time-limited restrictive practice (with fade out strategies) as an option of last resort in an interim or comprehensive behaviour support plan.
Your Behaviour Support Practitioner can help you understand restrictive practices in greater detail, within the context of your child.
Who can I speak to about Positive Behaviour Support?
South West - Leeann Hudson (Psychologist and PBS Practitioner)
Broome - Ashlee Ritchie (Occupational Therapist and PBS Practitioner)
