What is an example of Positive Behaviour Support?

What is the primary aim of Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive behaviour support aims to manage challenging behaviours and enhance a person's quality of life by teaching them coping strategies and promoting positive communication and social skills. This can be done through the use of positive reinforcement, change of environment, and other appropriate interventions. The goal is to develop a safe environment where the person can thrive and reach their potential.

Unlike other traditional methods, the primary goal of positive behaviour support is not to fix the challenging behaviour itself, but to provide support, implement strategies and develop better coping skills to manage challenging behaviours more effectively. Basically, positive behaviour support is based upon the principle that if you can teach an individual a more efficient and socially acceptable behaviour, then the challenging behaviour will diminish.



What are the main elements in a Positive Behaviour Support Plan?

Positive Behaviour Support Plan involves developing and implementing targeted interventions such as social skills training and individualised behaviour support plan to address the needs of individuals who may be at risk of developing challenging behaviour.

In the initial stage, a behaviour support plan is put in place to prevent or reduce the occurrence of negative behaviour by addressing the person's environment and any contributing factors and underlying needs.

This is where functional behaviour assessment is conducted to help identify and understand the triggers of the challenging behaviour. This process involves conducting interviews and observations to gather information about the person's behaviour.

The goal of this assessment is to identify and provide the necessary support an individual needs to reduce and manage his or her challenging behaviour. It also strives to minimise or eliminate the use of restrictive practices through these simple strategies.

• carefully observing their emotional state to detect any initial indications of restlessness.
• modifying the person's environment to better meet their needs
• addressing the triggers that contribute to the challenging behaviour
• adjusting the reinforcement that sustains the challenging behaviour
• supporting individuals to actively participate in various activities in order to attain a meaningful life
• developing the building skills of each individual to increase their independence and coping skills
• intervening early by eliminating triggers, diverting attention, and providing them with personal space

By implementing these strategies, parents, carers, and support workers can create an environment that prioriteses a person's well-being, minimises challenges, and fosters personal growth and development.



What are the Positive Behaviour Support strategies?

Positive strategies are focused on preventing challenging behaviour before it occurs. It involves strategies that are based on an individual's unique needs and abilities. This type of approach is best suited to create an environment where the person can kept away from harm.

Technically, these strategies are not intended to treat a person's challenging behaviour but they provide safe and ethical responses before the behaviour takes place. As included in the PBS plan, this include:

• Strategies to build on the person's strength
• An overview of a person's biopsychosocial strengths and needs, including their health, routine, and relevant history, provides a comprehensive understanding of their overall well-being and requirements
• Replacement behaviours and skills should be taught as alternatives to challenging or negative behaviours
• Environmental supports
• Staff supports
• Communication/ sensory/ learning supports
• Strategies to reduce the behaviour of concern
• Description of behaviour of concern including frequency, intensity and duration
• Background to behaviour of concern including early warning signs and triggers
• Identified consequences of behaviour of concern
• Positive strategies to be used prior to using restrictive practice
• Strategies for monitoring and team responsibilities



What are the principles of Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive behaviour support Campbelltown involves making changes to a person's environment and developing his or her skills to help manage their behaviour positively, maximise opportunities to achieve positive change and outcomes, and eliminate the need for restrictive practices. In line with this, the principles of the Positive Behaviour Support focus on the following:

• Person-centered
• This approach places the individual (or child) at the core, ensuring that their life goals and aspirations are the central focus.
• Partnership
• This entails actively collaborating with the person and all relevant stakeholders, shaping the process of change together.
• Planned
• Involves creating a comprehensive document that promotes shared understanding and accountability among all involved parties.
• Positive
• Emphasises the use of preventative strategies instead of reactive ones, placing the emphasis on proactive approaches.
• Proactive
• Assigning the responsibility for behavioural change to both the individual and their supporters.
• Purposeful
• Employing a functional behavioral assessment method to determine the underlying cause of the behavior.
• Process-driven
• Iteratively going through a process of identifying, assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating data.



Takeaway

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) offers a valuable approach for effectively managing challenging behaviour in individuals with disabilities. Challenging behaviours come in many different forms, and in worst cases, people who have it may exhibit aggression and cause harm. These behaviours can have significant impacts not only to the individuals themselves but also on their parents, family members, support workers, and everyone around them.



By implementing a positive behaviour support plan, people with disabilities and those with mental health conditions can increase their quality of life while reducing the risk of engaging in disruptive behaviours. This approach enables them to live their lives independently and safely without having to worry about difficult situations that may arise due to these behaviours. Consequently, they can achieve their desired goals and lead an enhanced quality of life.