It is a well-known fact that Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) can increase quality of life and reduces harmful behaviours for the person which greatly minimises the need for restrictive practices. Although there has been an increase in the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support in recent years, many stakeholders are unsure as to what it is and how to effectively apply it into practice. To understand Positive Behaviour Support better, it helps to differentiate what it is from what it is not.
Positive Behaviour Support is science and evidence-based, not about ‘being positive’.
While a positive approach to working and caring is vital, merely having a ‘positive attitude’ will not be adequate to addressing behaviours of concern. Positive Behaviour Support explores how behaviour works by using participant-specific information and data to understand their needs which explains the reason behind a particular challenging behaviour. Positive Behaviour Support helps us understand how these behaviours are learned, their functions and how to address them.
Positive Behaviour Support is person-centred, not “behaviour manipulation”.
Positive Behaviour Support sees every participant as an individual and a valued member of society who has human rights. Positive Behaviour Support works with the participant at the centre, involving people who know them best. PBS plans are developed specifically for the participant tailored around their specific needs and functions of behaviour, not based on reward and punishment.
Positive Behaviour Support ethically provides the participant and their carers a better quality of. Compared to ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) which seeks to make changes to a person’s environment to either reinforce a behaviour or create a consequence to support learning, Positive Behaviour Support does not aim to manipulate a person’s environment or behaviour.
Positive Behaviour Support is about relationships, not just behaviour.
While addressing behaviour is a big part of Positive Behaviour Support , this can’t be successfully done without the foundation of strong relationships. It is vital that trusting and rewarding relationships where both participant and stakeholders understand and communicate openly are formed.
Without a foundation of a relationship between participant and stakeholders, preventing and responding to behaviour/s merely becomes transactional. Without such relationships and trust, addressing behaviours of concern and supporting participants in the most effective way possible would prove difficult. Positive Behaviour Support is not about the reduction or removal of problem behaviour. A focus on reducing behaviours leads to increased restrictions and harm to the person which can then lead to other problem behaviours.
Positive Behaviour Support involves learning of new skills such as communication skills, independence, making choices and management of emotions.Learning new skills increases independence and self-determination which then opens up opportunities and life experiences for the person, enabling a better quality of life.
Positive Behaviour Support is purpose-based, not assumption-based.
Our understanding of Positive Behaviour Support is deeply rooted in the principle that behaviours, particularly those of concern, are often misunderstood as solely negative. However, these behaviours serve a functional purpose, meeting intrinsic needs that might not be immediately apparent. Behaviours may be a means of communication, fulfilling a sensory requirement, seeking necessary social interaction, or acquiring desired possessions. They can also be strategies to avoid certain situations or people, or even expressions of discomfort or pain. Our approach delves into these underlying functions to address them constructively.
Positive Behaviour Support decision-making is data-driven, not based on subjective opinion.
Working with objective data is vital in ensuring Positive Behaviour Support plans are making a positive difference for the participant. By basing decisions on subjective opinions, particularly when multiple carers are involved, we risk inconsistent implementation of the plan leading to failure and behaviours of concern not being addressed and reverting back to square one.
Positive Behaviour Support is teamwork, not dictated by one person.
It is crucial that a Positive Behaviour Support plan is written in consultation with the participant him/herself and key people who know the participant, care for him/her and are involved in the participant’s day to day life. One person putting together a plan without input from a participant and their stakeholders key stakeholders will lead to plans that are impractical and are at risk of being ignored.
When key people are involved from the outset, great opportunities and possibilities are opened up for the participant.
Learn more about PBS via our blog here.
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Refer to Insight Positive Behaviour Support here.
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