Top 5 Positive Behaviour Support Strategies in Action

Sam (name changed for privacy) is a highly intelligent, inquisitive, and mechanically-minded seven-year-old boy. He can spend hours hyper-focused on building complex, motorized Lego structures and loves learning about engineering. However, whenever adult-led demands were placed upon him, or when he was forced to shift from a preferred activity to a non-preferred one, his world unraveled.

Sam was presenting with intense oppositional behaviours, severe transition anxiety, and task avoidance. If asked to turn off the television, pack up his Lego, or transition into the classroom after recess, Sam would engage in explosive meltdowns. His presenting behaviour issues included screaming, dropping to the floor, sweeping all materials off his desk, and verbally lashing out at authority figures. The intensity of these reactions left his family walking on eggshells and his school contemplating restrictive disciplinary measures. Exhausted by the constant daily battles, Sam’s parents contacted the multidisciplinary experts at daar for an evidence-based intervention.

The Challenge

The inability to peacefully transition between activities was fracturing Sam’s world and stalling his early education:

• At Home: Every morning was a high-stakes negotiation. Getting Sam dressed, fed, and out the door to school routinely resulted in kicking, screaming, and crying. Evening routines were just as challenging, with bedtime triggering hour-long protests. His parents felt like they were constantly disciplining him, which eroded their parent-child bond and left everyone emotionally depleted.
• At School: The school environment, which requires constant transitions, was a landmine for Sam. Moving from the Playground back into the classroom consistently resulted in Sam dropping to the floor and refusing to move. If a teacher attempted to guide him to his desk, he would sweep all the papers and pencils onto the floor. His disruptive behaviour was significantly impacting the rest of the class, leading to frequent trips to the principal's office and growing social isolation from his peers.

Sam needed a proactive approach that did not punish his neurobiology, but rather taught him the skills to manage his transitions safely and confidently.

daar Therapy Approach

The clinicians at daar know that reacting to challenging behaviour after it occurs is often too late. Effective behaviour therapy for children focuses on proactive, environmental adjustments. We implemented an intervention plan heavily based on the top 5 positive behaviour support strategies to drastically reduce his daily friction.

Our customized, multi-layered approach included:

• Strategy 1: Visual Schedules & Predictability (PBS): We completely removed the element of surprise. Sam was provided with a clear, color-coded visual schedule at both home and school. He knew exactly what was coming next, drastically reducing his transition anxiety.
• Strategy 2: First/Then Language & Timers (PBS): Instead of issuing open-ended commands that overwhelmed him, his support network was trained to use visual timers (giving a 5-minute warning before a transition) alongside "First/Then" frameworks ("First we pack away the blocks, Then we have a snack").
• Strategy 3: Functional Communication via Speech Therapy: To replace his desk-sweeping behaviour, a specialized daar speech pathologist incorporated vital speech therapy. We taught Sam how to use an expressive communication card that said, "I need 2 more minutes, please." Giving him the power to negotiate eliminated his need to scream.
• Strategy 4: Structured Choices & Autonomy: Oppositional behaviour is often a desperate grasp for control. We guided his parents and teachers to offer structured choices. Instead of saying, "Start your writing now," they were taught to ask, "Do you want to use the blue pencil or the red pencil for your writing?" This provided Sam with a sense of autonomy while still gently enforcing the task.
• Strategy 5: Token Economy & Socialised Behaviour Therapy: We introduced a highly motivating reward system. Every time Sam transitioned safely, he earned a token toward a Lego reward. Furthermore, a behaviour practitioner facilitated socialised behaviour therapy sessions at school, helping Sam practice safe transitions alongside a peer-buddy to model expected behaviour and reward positive social interaction.

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Results & Progress

By implementing these foundational strategies, the adults in Sam’s life fundamentally changed the environment to support his needs. Once the element of surprise and lack of control was removed, Sam’s explosive behaviours rapidly melted away.

Within just six weeks, the mornings at home shifted from a battleground to a streamlined routine. Because Sam had a visual schedule on the fridge and a visual timer giving him fair warning, he was able to transition from breakfast to getting dressed without a single tear. The introduction of structured choices gave him a sense of pride and ownership over his day.

At school, the progress was phenomenal. Empowered by his speech therapy, Sam learned to hand his teacher his "2 more minutes" card instead of throwing his books. The school embraced the token economy, and Sam transformed from a student who spent his afternoons in the principal's office to a student confidently leading his peer buddy onto the Playground.

85%

Reduction in meltdowns using Visual Timers. 

100%

Elimination of destructive task avoidance. 

30mins

 Morning Routine Duration