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

82 Positive behaviour support: Getting it right from the start - Facilitators reference manual
PowerPoint 113
PowerPoint 114
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As mentioned earlier, restrictive intervention refers to any intervention that is used to restrict the
rights or freedom of movement of a person with a disability and includes:
• seclusion; e.g. a room with a locked door/area and windows that the person cannot open
from the inside
• mechanical restraint; e.g. a device used to prevent, restrict or subdue a person’s movement
• chemical restraint; e.g. medications used for the primary purpose of behavioural control
People with a disability who show behaviours of concern and are subject to restrictive
intervention must have a behaviour support plan that is reviewed and submitted to the senior
practitioner at intervals not more than 12 months.
Two functions of immediate response strategies
1. To de-escalate a potential episode of the behaviour and manage serious episodes of the
behaviour.
2. To minimise damage to people, property and the person’s reputation.
They are not set up to promote long-term behaviour change. This is done through changing
background factors and positive programming.
Examples of common immediate response strategies
Strategy Example of how it may be used
Using space When Cheryl appeared agitated, Carol moved a little
closer towards her.
Inject humour
(Use with caution as this method may be wrongly
construed as ridicule or sarcasm)
When Sam began pacing and mumbling, Alex gently
placed his hand on his shoulder.
When Simone glared at Jacqui after she knocked
her accidentally at the dinner table, Maureen used a
playful, joking manner.
Instructional control When Fred began masturbating in the lounge, he was
discretely told that he should do that in his bedroom.
When Megan saw James running to Alice to hit her, she
yelled, ‘James, take out the rubbish bins!’ – a request
that he is known to follow reliably.
Encouraging communication Steve was crying while he did the dishes. Jeremy
grabbed his feelings book and said, ‘Steve, you look
upset. Tell me what’s wrong.’
Jane had her period, and yelled when asked if she
could please go to work now. Cathie gently led her to
a lounge chair and said, ‘Jane, don’t you feel good? Is
your stomach hurting?’
Active listening Roy was pacing and appeared to be getting more and
more upset as dinner approached. Wendy said, ‘You
seem hungry Roy. Come with me and we’ll make a
snack while we’re waiting for tea.’
During a lull in Stephanie’s outburst, Jenny calmly said,
‘Hey Steph, you sure are upset that mum didn’t visit. It
must be hard to take.’