Positive behaviour support Getting it right from the start

90 Positive behaviour support: Getting it right from the start - Facilitators reference manual
PowerPoint 121*
Summary
Importance of monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the effectiveness
of the positive behaviour support strategies
As stated earlier positive behaviour support is not the simple answer to a complex question.
A functional behaviour assessment can significantly assist in uncovering the purpose that the
behaviour is serving for the person which can guide the selection of appropriate strategies;
changes to the environment, teaching new skills, immediate response strategies. These
strategies will require consistent implementation and a concerted effort from all those involved.
There is little point in persisting with strategies if after a reasonable period of time there does not
appear to be any change in the behaviour nor an improvement in the person’s quality of life. This
is in turn can have a negative effect the person with a disability and on the enthusiasm of staff
and their feelings of hope for the future.
The importance of regularly monitoring the implemented strategies can not be understated.
Consideration needs to be given to what strategies have worked and what strategies may
need to change. This will often require interval data recording using STAR charts to identify any
changes to the frequency of the behaviour and whether ideas formulated following the functional
behaviour assessment about why the behaviour is occurring are still correct.
In reviewing the selected strategies according to the Office of the Senior Practitioner, Behaviour
Support Plan Practice Guide it is important to consider;
- the results of the positive interventions; that is what worked well in reducing the behaviours of
concern and what doesn’t work well to reduce the behaviours of concern and,
- the results of the restrictive interventions; that is what was the effect of the restrictive
intervention on the behaviour of concern and what was the effect of the restrictive intervention
on the person’s quality of life.
For people who are subject to restrictive interventions the need for monitoring and evaluation
is crucial given the dangers associated with subjecting the person to restrictive interventions.
These dangers include:
• repeated traumatic experiences
• the re-emergence of older behaviours
• emergence of new behaviours
• irreversible side effects associated with psychotropic medication (e.g. tardive dyskinesia)
• physical injury to the person and even death in others.