Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred approach that helps people understand and respond to behaviours that may be affecting their wellbeing, relationships, safety or participation in everyday life.
For NDIS participants and their families, Positive Behaviour Support is not simply about trying to stop a particular behaviour. Instead, it looks at why a behaviour may be happening, what the person may be communicating, and what can be changed to help them achieve better outcomes.
At Profiles WA, we believe behaviour should be understood within the context of the whole person.
Every person has a story. Their experiences, communication style, environment, relationships, strengths and needs can all influence how they respond to situations.
How Does Positive Behaviour Support Work?
Positive Behaviour Support aims to understand the circumstances surrounding behaviour and develop practical strategies that support the person’s quality of life.
This can involve looking at:
- What happens before a behaviour occurs
- What the person may be communicating
- What happens after the behaviour
- Environmental factors
- Communication needs
- Sensory needs
- Relationships and social interactions
- Emotional wellbeing
- Daily routines
- Skills and abilities
- Opportunities for choice and independence
Rather than asking only “How do we stop this behaviour?”, PBS asks:
“What is this person experiencing, communicating or needing, and how can we support them?”
This shift can lead to more meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Positive Behaviour Support Is About the Whole Person
Behaviour does not happen in isolation.
For example, a person may become distressed when routines suddenly change. Another person may find certain environments overwhelming. Someone else may have difficulty communicating what they need and express their frustration through behaviour.
Understanding these circumstances can help families, carers and support teams develop better ways of providing support.
This reflects the Profiles WA approach of looking beyond a diagnosis or individual behaviour to understand the person as a whole.
When Might an NDIS Participant Benefit from Positive Behaviour Support?
Positive Behaviour Support may be useful when a person is experiencing behaviours that:
- Affect their safety or the safety of others
- Make everyday activities difficult
- Affect relationships or social participation
- Interfere with education, employment or community participation
- Cause significant distress
- Make communication more difficult
- Limit independence
- Create challenges for families or support networks
PBS can also be useful when a person wants to develop new skills, increase independence or participate more confidently in everyday activities.
The goal is not simply to manage behaviour. The goal is to improve the person’s quality of life.
What Is a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) is often an important part of Positive Behaviour Support.
An FBA looks at the circumstances surrounding a behaviour to help identify possible reasons or functions behind it.
This may involve examining:
- What happens before the behaviour
- The behaviour itself
- What happens afterwards
- Patterns and triggers
- Communication
- Environment
- Relationships
- Routines
- The person’s abilities and support needs
Understanding these patterns can help identify strategies that are more appropriate for the individual.
Importantly, an FBA should be focused on understanding the person rather than simply labelling or judging their behaviour.
What Is a Behaviour Support Plan?
Following assessment, a Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) may be developed where appropriate.
A Behaviour Support Plan can provide practical guidance for the people supporting the participant.
Depending on the person’s circumstances, it may include:
- An understanding of behaviours of concern
- Possible triggers or contributing factors
- Communication strategies
- Preventative strategies
- Skill-building approaches
- Environmental adjustments
- Strategies for responding to distress
- Support strategies for families and carers
- Goals related to independence and quality of life
The plan should be individualised and reflect the participant’s needs, preferences, strengths and goals.
Building Skills Instead of Simply Managing Behaviour
One of the important principles of Positive Behaviour Support is helping people develop skills that can give them greater independence.
This might include supporting someone to:
- Communicate their needs
- Manage emotions
- Develop coping strategies
- Make choices
- Build social skills
- Follow routines
- Develop daily living skills
- Participate in the community
- Develop greater confidence
For some people, changing the environment around them may be just as important as developing new skills.
Small changes can sometimes make everyday situations significantly easier.
Supporting Families and Carers
Positive Behaviour Support is not only about the participant.
Families, carers and support workers can play an important role in understanding patterns and consistently applying helpful strategies.
A PBS approach can help support networks understand:
- Why certain behaviours may occur
- How to recognise potential triggers
- How to respond consistently
- How to encourage communication
- How to create supportive environments
- How to promote independence
- How to respond when someone becomes distressed
The aim is to create a shared understanding rather than placing blame on the participant, family or support team.
Positive Behaviour Support and the NDIS
Positive Behaviour Support can form part of the supports available to eligible NDIS participants, depending on their individual plans and circumstances.
An NDIS participant may receive behaviour support where it relates to their disability-related support needs and goals.
For participants and families, it is important that any assessment or recommendations are relevant to the person’s individual circumstances and focused on meaningful outcomes.
Profiles WA provides psychological and assessment services that can support participants, families and broader support networks.
A Strengths-Based Approach to Behaviour Support
Positive Behaviour Support should not focus only on difficulties.
It should also recognise what the person can do.
At Profiles WA, we look at the person’s strengths, interests, abilities and existing strategies that are already working.
Think of the person as a tree:
Roots represent their experiences, relationships, culture and history.
The trunk represents their strengths, resilience and abilities.
The branches represent opportunities for growth, participation and greater independence.
Behaviour is one part of this much larger picture.
Does Positive Behaviour Support Mean Punishment?
No.
Positive Behaviour Support is fundamentally different from approaches that rely on punishment or simply trying to suppress behaviour.
The focus is on understanding behaviour, preventing avoidable distress, teaching useful skills, improving communication and creating environments that support the person’s wellbeing.
Where restrictive practices are relevant to a person’s circumstances, these are subject to specific legal, regulatory and NDIS requirements. Appropriate professional oversight and compliance are essential.
What Can Families Expect From a Positive Behaviour Support Service?
The process will vary depending on the individual, but it may involve:
- Understanding the person
Learning about their history, strengths, needs, routines and goals. - Understanding behaviour
Exploring patterns, triggers, communication and environmental factors. - Assessment
Where appropriate, conducting a Functional Behaviour Assessment or other relevant assessment. - Developing strategies
Identifying practical strategies that support wellbeing, communication and participation. - Building skills
Supporting the development of alternative skills and more effective ways of communicating needs. - Working with the support network
Helping families, carers and other relevant people understand and apply strategies consistently. - Reviewing progress
Considering what is working and adjusting support as circumstances change.
Positive Behaviour Support Should Be Individualised
There is no single behaviour support strategy that works for everyone.
Two people may display similar behaviours but have completely different reasons for those behaviours.
That is why effective Positive Behaviour Support should be:
- Person-centred
- Strengths-based
- Evidence-informed
- Collaborative
- Practical
- Respectful
- Focused on quality of life
The participant should remain at the centre of the process.
When Should You Consider Positive Behaviour Support?
You may wish to explore Positive Behaviour Support if behaviour is affecting a person’s:
- Safety
- Relationships
- Communication
- Independence
- Daily routines
- Education or employment
- Community participation
- Emotional wellbeing
- Quality of life
You do not necessarily need to wait until a situation becomes a crisis.
Early support can help families and support networks understand what is happening and identify practical ways forward.
Supporting the Person, Not Just the Behaviour
Positive Behaviour Support begins with a simple idea: behaviour has meaning and people deserve to be understood.
For NDIS participants and their families, the right support can help create greater understanding, develop new skills and open opportunities for greater independence and participation.
At Profiles WA, our approach is centred on the individual, their strengths, their circumstances and their goals.
Based in Perth, Western Australia, Profiles WA supports individuals and communities across Australia through flexible telehealth services.
Every story has roots. Every journey has possibilities.