For NDIS participants, meaningful support is about more than addressing behaviours of concern.
It is about creating opportunities to communicate, participate, develop skills, build relationships, and live a life that reflects what matters to the individual.
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) takes a person-centred approach to understanding behaviour and identifying strategies that can improve quality of life.
At Profiles WA, we believe positive change begins with understanding the person behind the behaviour — their experiences, strengths, communication, environment, relationships, and goals.
What Is Positive Behaviour Support?
Positive Behaviour Support is an evidence-based approach that seeks to understand why behaviours occur and identify ways to support a person’s needs, skills, communication, and quality of life.
Rather than focusing only on reducing a behaviour, PBS considers the bigger picture.
This can include:
- What may be contributing to the behaviour
- What the person is communicating
- Environmental influences
- Existing strengths and skills
- Communication needs
- Opportunities for greater independence
- Supports that can improve participation
The focus is on creating positive and sustainable change.
How Can Positive Behaviour Support Improve Quality of Life?
Quality of life can mean different things to different people.
For one person, it may mean greater independence. For another, it may mean stronger relationships, improved communication, participating in community activities, or having greater choice in everyday life.
Positive Behaviour Support can contribute to these outcomes by helping individuals develop practical strategies and skills that are relevant to their goals.
Greater Independence
Understanding the barriers affecting everyday activities can help identify strategies that encourage greater independence.
Support may focus on developing skills, adapting environments, or creating routines that work for the individual.
Better Communication
Behaviour can sometimes be a way of communicating a need, feeling, preference, or difficulty.
PBS seeks to understand what the person may be communicating and identify more effective ways to express their needs where appropriate.
Increased Participation
When barriers are better understood and appropriate supports are in place, individuals may have greater opportunities to participate in family, social, educational, workplace, and community activities.
Stronger Relationships
When families, carers, and support workers have a better understanding of a person’s needs and communication, interactions can become more consistent and supportive.
Greater Confidence
Developing skills and experiencing success can help individuals build confidence in navigating everyday situations.
Understanding the Roots of Behaviour
At Profiles WA, our approach reflects our broader philosophy:
Every story has roots.
Like a tree, what we see above the ground is only part of the picture.
🌱 The Roots
Understanding the individual’s experiences, environment, communication, relationships, and circumstances.
🌳 The Trunk
Recognising strengths, abilities, interests, skills, and existing sources of support.
🍃 The Branches
Developing practical strategies that respond to individual needs and create opportunities for participation.
🌿 New Growth
Supporting greater independence, wellbeing, connection, confidence, and quality of life.
The Role of a Functional Behaviour Assessment
A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) can help develop a deeper understanding of behaviours of concern.
The assessment may consider:
- When the behaviour occurs
- What happens before it
- What happens afterwards
- Where it occurs
- Who is present
- Patterns and environmental influences
- Possible communication or support needs
Understanding these factors can help inform appropriate Positive Behaviour Support strategies.
Behaviour Support Plans
Where appropriate, information from assessment can contribute to a Behaviour Support Plan.
A Behaviour Support Plan may include strategies relating to:
- Communication
- Skill development
- Emotional regulation
- Environmental adjustments
- Daily routines
- Positive reinforcement
- Independence
- Participation
The aim is to provide practical strategies that are meaningful to the individual and the people supporting them.
Supporting Families, Carers and Support Networks
Positive Behaviour Support works best when the people around the individual understand their role.
Families, carers, support workers, and other professionals may all contribute to creating consistent and supportive environments.
Collaboration can help everyone better understand:
- The individual’s strengths
- Communication preferences
- Support needs
- Helpful strategies
- Potential triggers
- Ways to encourage participation
The individual remains at the centre of the support process.
A Strength-Based Approach to NDIS Support
An NDIS participant should never be defined by behaviours of concern.
Every individual has strengths, abilities, interests, relationships, and goals.
At Profiles WA, we focus on identifying these strengths and using them as foundations for growth.
This may involve exploring opportunities to build:
- Independence
- Confidence
- Communication
- Social connection
- Everyday skills
- Community participation
Positive Behaviour Support is ultimately about supporting a better quality of life — not simply changing behaviour.
Positive Behaviour Support Across Australia
Based in Perth, Western Australia, Profiles WA supports individuals and communities across Australia through flexible telehealth services.
Our Positive Behaviour Support services focus on understanding behaviour through compassion, communication, evidence-based practice, and a whole-person approach.
Meaningful Change Begins With Understanding
Every person has different needs, strengths, experiences, and goals.
For NDIS participants, Positive Behaviour Support can create opportunities to move beyond simply managing behaviours and towards greater communication, independence, connection, and participation.