Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred framework that supports individuals who exhibit behaviours of concern.

These are challenging behaviours that can compromise the safety of the person or others and are likely to seriously limit or deny access to and use of ordinary community facilities.

Individuals with disabilities have a range of strengths, capabilities, and individual support needs. For example, some have trouble in being able to communicate and will feel frustrated if they are not able to communicate their needs to their families, peers, and support networks. In these situations, the person may use other ways to get their message across. This alternate way of communication can be via a behaviour of concern such as hitting others. Over time these challenging behaviours can result in limitation in access to activities, relationships being strained and negative perceptions of the person, all leading to a poor quality of life for the person and their family.

Positive Behaviour Support is an evidence-based approach that involves the development of Functional Behaviour Assessments and Behaviour Support Plans. These look at why the person is engaging in persistent behaviours of concern and recommend strategies to increase the individual’s abilities and improve their quality of life. Our behaviour support practitioner will work with the person and their support network in the process of eliminating or reducing the behaviours of concern.