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Top 5 Questions Parents Ask About Positive Behaviour Support

Written by daar | Jun 19, 2025 12:00:23 PM

Key Highlights

  • Discover the essential aspects of positive behaviour support and how it improves the quality of life for children and families.

  • Gain insight into the distinction between PBS and traditional discipline methods, and why the former is more effective in the long term.

  • Explore how PBS tackles a spectrum of challenges, from mild behavioural concerns to severe problem behaviours.

  • Understand the critical role of practitioners in designing and delivering behaviour support plans tailored to individual needs.

  • Learn how PBS fits within NDIS funding, and what parents can expect from PBS sessions.

  • Access practical recommendations and resources to embark on a journey of creating a positive difference for your child with PBS.

Introduction

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) uses a kind way to help people with tough behaviour problems. It is built on proven ideas that help teach new skills. PBS also shapes the home or school setting to better support each person's behaviour modification needs. This system is not about punishment. It looks for the causes of a person's actions and uses good tools to help make behaviour better.

If your child deals with small annoyances or has more serious behavioural disorders, PBS has plans for all these needs. You can be sure your child will get support that is right for them. PBS also helps make good relationships between family members better. In this way, everyone can have a better quality of life through positive behaviour and real behaviour change.

Understanding Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

Positive behaviour support (PBS) is a strong way to help people with developmental disabilities live better lives. This approach looks at why challenging behaviour happens. Then, it makes a plan to help with that behaviour. Using the principles of positive behaviour support, every intervention is made to fit what each person needs. The PBS model works by using positive reinforcement. This helps people change their behaviour in a way that is good and caring. It does not use punishment to make these changes.

The ideas behind positive behaviour support come from research literature. Some good PBS strategies are doing behavioural assessments and making special behaviour support plans just for each person. This helps children and their families feel safe, supported, and better able to do well every day.

What Is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a way of helping people that is proven to work well. The main goal is the development of positive behaviour interventions and supports (PBS) to get better results in places like schools, homes, and local areas. PBS works especially well for people who have developmental disabilities, behavioural disorders, or other similar needs.

What makes positive behaviour support different is that it uses positive reinforcement, not old punishments. The focus is on finding out why someone acts a certain way. People who work with PBS make plans that help change tough behaviours into positive behaviour. These plans may give tools that help with things like sensory needs, the search for attention, or other things happening in the environment.

For instance, re-directive therapy under PBS helps parents build strong bonds with their kids using set routines that use positive reinforcement. It can help teach how to talk better or control feelings. With all of these steps, positive behaviour support helps lessen unwanted behaviours and raises the quality of life for both the person and their family.

Core Principles of PBS

The principles of Positive Behavioural Support come from deep research literature on ways to help behaviour and raise quality of life. Positive behavioural support has special practices that make it good for handling tough behaviours.

  • Person-centered approach: This means each plan fits the person. It is based on what makes them unique. It uses their strengths and the things they need.

  • Focus on prevention: This is about stopping problems before they start. It works to cut down on triggers and help set up places that bring out positive behaviour.

  • Data-driven decisions: People use steady monitoring and check behaviour often. This way, the support plan always fits what is needed.

  • Skill development: This builds up skills like talking, handling feelings, and other things that help someone have a better quality of life.

  • Holistic perspective: It looks at the full picture, including body, mind, and how people get along with others. This helps ideas and steps last longer.

By following these key principles of positive behaviour support, people hope to create real change that includes everyone. This way, the quality of life gets better for all who take part.

How PBS Differs from Traditional Discipline Approaches

Unlike old ways that used the use of punishment, PBS focuses on knowing why a person acts a certain way. It helps you understand the behaviour and gives you different ways to change things for the better.

Punitive steps do not really get to the root of why some problems happen. They can even make things worse. PBS uses applied behaviour analysis (ABA) to look for triggers and to find out what starts these actions based on the foundation of PBS principles. In this, you teach new ways to act and reward good choices using positive reinforcement. All these are written down in a behaviour support plan. With this way, the chance that the problem comes back is lower because it is about stopping problems before they grow.

PBS uses plans made just for each person. It moves away from the idea of just trying to control someone. Instead, the goal is to help people do better and be more able. For example, PBS might say to stop yelling and try positive reinforcement. That could mean telling someone “good job” when they act the right way, or speaking to them in a kind and clear way so they know what is wanted.

Is Positive Behaviour Support Only for Severe Behaviours?

Many people think Positive Behaviour Support is only for very tough problems. But it is not just for kids with big behavioural disorders. This way of helping can work with all kinds of challenging behaviours in young children. It can help with things like tantrums or when a child has trouble sharing.

No matter if the problem is small or big, Positive Behaviour Support uses a full plan to deal with it. The goal is to make each child’s quality of life better by using clear and structured steps. That is why this support is flexible. It lets families get help with any situation, so all children with different needs can benefit from this approach.

Common Concerns Addressed by PBS

Parents often ask if PBS can help with different behaviour concerns, and the answer is yes. PBS practitioners know how to use behaviour-focused strategies like looking at what causes certain behaviours, including such interventions.

Some common problems PBS can help with:

  • Tantrums or outbursts because of too much sensory input.

  • Not wanting to follow routines such as going to bed or eating.

  • Trouble being social because of being aggressive or pulling away.

  • Relying too much on technology, which leads to being alone.

  • Many times of not listening or trying to avoid things.

By finding out what sets off these problem behaviours, PBS steps can guide people to better manage feelings and give better ways to react. This also helps family members or teachers use these ways at home or in school.

Indicators Your Child May Benefit from PBS

How can you tell if PBS will be good for your child? Start by looking at some signs that often show up in referral data or how your child acts each day. These signs can help you know when your child may need some support.

Some things you may notice are:

  • Academic struggles: Your child has trouble focusing. It may be hard for them to keep up with the schoolwork.

  • Social isolation: They stay away from other kids or get into arguments when they play.

  • Intense emotional outbursts: There are times when your child cries a lot or acts out in anger with no clear reason.

  • Behaviour regression: They may stop doing things they learned before, like talking, taking care of themselves, or handling feelings.

PBS can be very helpful for young children who are going through a new stage or when big changes happen around them. When you spot these behaviours early, you can use referral data to get your child the help they need. This way, your child can get better help at the right time for real progress.

What Does a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner Do?

A Positive Behaviour Support practitioner has a key role to spot, understand, and take care of behaviour problems. They do behaviour checks, such as looking at how and why someone acts in certain ways. This helps find out the reasons behind the things that cause trouble.

When this first step is done, they help families put support plans into action for autistic children. They show parents and other caregivers how to change behaviour in a good way. They also help people get important skills, which makes life better and mitigates any negative impact on their well-being. With all this work, the practitioner builds a strong start for getting better and feeling good. This is how they help people boost their positive behaviour, behaviour support, and quality of life.

Assessment and Functional Behaviour Analysis

Functional Behaviour Analysis (FBA) is a key part of the positive behaviour support process (PBS). People use detailed assessments in behaviour analysis to find out why some actions happen. They also look at what happens afterward that keeps the problem behaviour going.

Key Components

Description

Antecedent analysis

Looks at what triggers or comes before the problem behaviour.

Behaviour description

Gives a clear idea of what the problem behaviour looks like. It tells about how often, how strong, and how long it lasts.

Consequence mapping

Studies what people do or say after the behaviour and how this might help keep it going, even if they do not mean to.

Function determination

Finds out why the person does the behaviour, like getting attention or trying to get out of something that feels bad.

Through this approach, people can learn what steps to take to make problem behaviour less likely to work. At the same time, they teach new, positive ways to act.

Setting Goals and Developing a Support Plan

The PBS process helps people improve their lives and surroundings by using a behaviour support plan.

Key aspects of this plan include:

  • Behavioural goals: Clear steps set for the child to reach and easy to measure.

  • Intervention strategies: Special ways picked for the person, such as taking breaks for the senses or learning new skills.

  • Monitoring systems: Tools used to get data and check progress often.

  • Family involvement: Parents and caregivers work together to make sure the plan brings good change.

This intensive intervention program brings real and lasting behaviour change. It also helps to make the lives of people who take part in it better.

How Is PBS Funded Through the NDIS?

Parents often ask how positive behaviour support works under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The good news is, the NDIS helps with funds for social care and development. This includes positive behaviour support.

The NDIS lets families get help for their kids with things like functional behaviour assessments (FBAs), special support plans, and help from skilled workers. This means children, mostly those with tough behaviour, can get steady support in places where experts watch over things. If you want more details on what gets approved, talk to your NDIS consultants.

What Can I Expect in a PBS Session?

Joining a PBS session means that people will use kind and friendly steps made just for your child. The person running the session will watch your child, take notes, and try new ways to help with things like problem behaviour or slow growth steps.

Parents will see different types of activities in each session. These often include steps that use positive reinforcement, planned-out tasks, and simple tips you can use at home. When you know what happens in a session, you will get the power to help your child reach new skills.

What Happens During an Initial Consultation

An initial PBS consultation helps get ready for later sessions. At this time, the practitioner gathers important information and tries to understand what problems the person faces.

Most of the time, they will start with a behavioural assessment. They talk with the family members to find out more about the person’s history, the problem behaviours, and what could be causing them. Next, they use behaviour analysis to spot patterns and look for things that set off these behaviours. They also come up with ideas about why the behaviours happen.

By the end, they share what they have found. This helps everyone start working together. It also sets up a plan to help, based on trust and teamwork.

Home, Clinic or School-Based Support Options

PBS practitioners give different types of support to fit many places:

  • Home interventions: They create simple plans that fit into daily life. This makes it easy for people to use them at home.

  • Clinic sessions: In a clinic, activities are more organised. The staff uses special tools for behaviour modification and works in a space built for this purpose.

  • School-based plans: Teachers, parents, special education teams, and children all work together. This helps everyone stay on the same page with what each child needs.

  • Community projects: People use local resources to help improve social skills outside of school and home. These projects help people become more included in the community.

Each type of support matches what people need in that place. All who take part work together so that the person gets better and learns new skills.

Documentation and Reporting Requirements

Accurate documentation and reporting are key parts of making PBS work well. The people who use PBS write down facts about the child’s problem behaviour. They list what happened before, tell what the problem behaviour looks like, and write about what help or support is suggested.

Reports usually share how well the behaviour support plan is working. They talk about what should change and what the next goals are. Parents and teachers can look at these reports any time. They use the updates and talk together, so that they keep meeting the child’s needs as they grow. This way, both groups stay up-to-date using clear progress notes or meetings in person or online.

How daar Supports Families With PBS

daar team is made up of people who understand a lot about organisational behaviour management. We work with family members and those who help children to make sure PBS solutions fit what each child needs.

We have many resources like online courses, webinars, and direct coaching. We take care of the main areas of PBS with skill and care. The team knows that winning is not just about how fast you see behaviour change but also about building systems that will last. If its gentle help for young children or support for those with severe behaviour problems, daar is there to guide every step of their growth.

We are always working with families and others to give the best. This helps young children with behaviour problems have the help they need both now and later on.

Partner with daar and let us guide your child’s journey toward lasting behavioural success. Serving families in Liverpool, Casula, Moorebank, Prestons, and surrounding suburbs.

Conclusion

In the end, finding your way in the world of positive behaviour support can feel tough at first for parents. But, when you know the main ideas and see how it fits in things like the NDIS, you have the power to make good choices for your child's growth. The tips shared in this blog help clear up wrong ideas. They also give you key advice on what to look for with PBS practitioners. If you have the right people and tools to help, you can make real changes in your child’s behaviour and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is positive behaviour support only for children with disabilities?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is not just for kids with intellectual disability and other disabilities. It is a useful way to help all children. This approach helps promote positive behaviour and build better social skills. Any child who has trouble with their behaviour can get something good out of PBS. It also helps create a place where everyone can feel included.

How quickly can parents expect to see results with PBS?

Behaviour change with PBS depends on what each person needs. If you use positive reinforcement and follow a clear support plan, you can start to see some progress in a few weeks. Intensive programs can help speed up behaviour change, and you may notice better patterns sooner.

Can PBS strategies be used by teachers and caregivers as well?

Yes, that's right. PBS counts on everyone working together, so it works well in public schools, with special education teams, and caregivers, too. When people set up systems of supports, they help more people use these ideas in different places. This way, everyone can work together to help with behaviour modification and give positive support that works for all.

What should I do if I’m not seeing progress with PBS?

If things do not get better, talk to your practitioner. You can work together to look at the functional behaviour assessment and support plan again. The “Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis” and “Journal of Positive Behaviour Interventions” have many tips based on research. These tips help deal with problem behaviours the right way by making changes in behaviour analysis. Using such support helps people see more positive behaviour.

How do I find PBS resources and support in Australia?

Look for online courses, pbs communities, or social care networks to find resources in your area. You can also check out research bases, consulting agencies, and behaviour support platforms. They often give special help for parents who want PBS tools and more ideas.

Tips for Parents Starting Their PBS Journey

Start with patience, and try to do things the same way each day. Use positive reinforcement and make it a part of your daily life. See that all family members join in to help the process, and talk often with professionals. A clear support plan will help bring about lasting behaviour change and a better outlook for everyone.