Positive Behaviour Support - Department of Human Services - Vic ...

Positive behaviour support: Getting it right from the start - Facilitators reference manual 37
5. Other senses such as smell should be used to interact with the person and provide them
with information about their environment.
6. Always provide verbal warnings (where needed) in conjunction with object symbols, raised
symbols or touch cues, to warn the person about what is going to happen next.
7. Always talk to the person and tell them what you are doing and what is happening.
8. Be explicit in giving verbal directions to a blind person. Pointing or saying ‘over there’ is of
no help.
9. If you notice a visually impaired person heading for danger, give the immediate short command
to STOP. (Do not say ’watch out’, as they won’t know whether to stop, duck or back up.) Then
explain the danger.
10. If the person has trouble processing and understanding speech, use a range of tactile cues
to assist the person. For example, if something is unique to you (such as a bracelet that you
wear) introduce yourself and direct the person’s hand to your bracelet.
General strategies to reduce sensory overload (including tactile defensiveness)
1. Use a quiet calm voice.
2. Set aside an uncluttered room where people can relax.
3. Engage people in an activity that calms them (you may need a sensory assessment to
find this out).
4. Be aware that some people have their own calming techniques and are not trying to be
difficult, e.g. sitting on the floor rather than climbing the stairs, taking empty packages
out of the rubbish bin as they need something to scrunch to calm themselves
5. Inform people when something that disturbs them is going to happen, e.g. bus arriving
home, noise from maintain work, you are going to touch their hands to cut their nails.
6. Help people to feel in control and if possible facilitate people to do thing for themselves
7. Reduce noise levels in the room
8. Reduce visual clutter, e.g. check to see that there are not too many pictures on the wall
9. Use a firm touch rather than a light touch
PowerPoint 57* For the person you have been developing a profile on discuss the following areas and how
they may impact on their daily routines and identify suitable strategies to use.
• Hearing levels or ability
• Visual ability
• Tactile defensiveness issues
Add this summary information to your client profile.