Positive behaviour support Getting it right from the start

Positive behaviour support: Getting it right from the start - Facilitators reference manual 7
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What is positive behaviour support?
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is not a simple answer to the complex reasons why people
show behaviours of concern. The PBS approach includes the systematic gathering of relevant
information, conducting a functional behaviour assessment, designing support plans,
implementation and ongoing evaluation. Immediate response strategies for the management
of serious episodes of the behaviour are also addressed, but there is a belief that the best
behaviour support happens when the behaviour is not happening; hence the strong emphasis on
proactive strategies.
PBS is based on decreasing behaviours of concern and improving the person’s quality of life.
Positive behaviour support planning tells us the best way to work with an individual who shows
behaviours of concern and gives us ways to improve the quality of life for the person and does
not just deal with behaviour.
This approach places an emphasis on the need for responsiveness to a person’s feelings and
needs and has the following defining features:
• valuing the person, deliberately building a sense of self-worth, and acknowledging all attempts
at positive interaction
• creating situations where the person is placed at their best advantage
• acknowledging and trying to interpret what the person is communicating via the behaviour
• analysing the functions of the behaviour
• teaching the person other ways to meet their need or communicate their feelings
• gently supporting and leading the person to a calmer state
• providing encouragement and feedback about personal successes along with aspects of
difficult situations the person may have handled well.
In groups develop a definition of what positive behaviour support means to you.
What does positive behaviour support mean to the people you support?
Group definitions should include:
• PBS is not a simple answer or a quick fix.
• The PBS approach includes the systematic gathering of relevant information, conducting
a functional behaviour assessment, designing support plans, implementation and ongoing
evaluation.
• PBS is based on decreasing behaviours of concern and improving the person’s quality of life.
• PBS has a strong emphasis on proactive strategies.