Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is an evidence-based approach used in social care to understand and address challenging behaviors exhibited by individuals, particularly those with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, or neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. PBS aims to improve the quality of life of individuals by focusing on proactive strategies to prevent challenging behaviors and promote positive alternatives.

Verbal behaviour - shouting, screaming, arguing, name-calling, offensive language
Nonverbal behaviour - clenching fists, invading someone's personal space, pointing fingers, stamping, running away
Withdrawn behaviour - Isolating oneself from their community and support system, deliberate silence
Hurting others - hitting, head-butting, pinching, biting, scratching, kicking, grabbing
Self-injurious behaviour - undereating and overeating, pinching, biting, scratching, hair pulling, eye poking
Destructive behaviour - throwing objects, breaking items

Facts

Understanding Positive Behavior Support (PBS)

Proactive Strategies for Verbal and Nonverbal Behavior

PBS employs proactive strategies to address verbal and nonverbal behaviors such as shouting, screaming, clenching fists, invading personal space, and pointing fingers. These strategies may include teaching effective communication skills, providing relaxation techniques, and implementing visual cues to help individuals express their needs and emotions in more appropriate ways.

Promoting Social Engagement and Withdrawn Behavior

PBS supports individuals who exhibit withdrawn behavior by promoting social engagement and participation in community activities. This may involve creating opportunities for meaningful social interactions, building supportive relationships, and providing encouragement and positive reinforcement to help individuals feel connected and valued.

Preventing Harmful Behaviors and Destructive Acts

PBS focuses on preventing harmful behaviors such as hurting others or engaging in destructive acts. This may involve identifying triggers or underlying causes of the behavior, implementing proactive interventions to address unmet needs or frustrations, and teaching alternative coping skills or problem-solving strategies to promote healthier ways of expressing emotions and resolving conflicts.

What Does a PBS Approach Involve

The overall aim of the Positive Behaviour Support approach is to provide person-centred support and a framework to improve the quality of a person’s life. It is collaborative and inclusive of all people we support and those supporting them. A PBS approach recognises that the behaviour, not the person, is the problem and avoids blame, punishment, and stigmatising attitudes.Those supporting the person will understand the person’s unique interests, skills and abilities. Under a PBS approach, the support team will respond compassionately and calmly when the person displays behaviours that challenge. They will understand how to support the person to communicate, have fun and engage in activities. This way, the individual can learn how to meet their needs without using behaviours that challenge.

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Positive Behaviour Support model

Positive Behaviour Support model stages provide guidelines and frameworks for implementing a person-centred approach to support. PBS model stages aim to increase the overall quality of life, independence, and support of the person. It also maximises the highest success rate possible by providing step-by-step advice. The PBS model stages have three aspects: assess, manage and prevent.

What is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan or PBS Plan?

A Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plan is a collaborative effort involving the individual requiring support, their family, colleague, and professionals. Led by a Positive Behaviour Support practitioner, this process aims to understand the underlying reasons for challenging behaviours.

The plan outlines strategies agreed upon by the circle of support and the individual. It should be easily understandable and provide clear guidance for support. A PBS plan identifies behaviours of concern and assesses their impact on the individual's quality of life and those around them. It explains why the challenging behaviour occurs and what needs it fulfils for the individual.

It's crucial to recognize that all challenging behaviours serve a purpose. Understanding the root cause enables the individual to receive support and address their needs in healthy, compassionate ways.

The PBS plan comprises proactive and reactive strategies. Success lies in consistent implementation and regular updates to meet evolving needs. Progress is measured through accurate behaviour data, goal attainment, and improvements in quality of life.

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Reasons for Challenging Behaviour

PBS implicitly recognises that behaviours that challenge are not a problem within the individual. It is a response learned through interaction with their environment and how the behaviour makes them feel.

It is essential to mention that everyone experiences difficult behaviours. It is not exclusive to those with a learning disability, mental health conditions and autism. The difference is neurotypical individuals are usually equipped with the tools to communicate, express and alter these behaviours.