Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a set of research-based strategies used to increase quality of life and respond to challenging behaviour.
At WildFire, we believe that challenging behaviours occur due to a persons needs not being met and can be distressing and disruptive to the person and those around them.
We know that all behaviour has a message, and therefore the behaviour serves to communicate important things about a person, their needs, wants, health and happiness.
Often, challenging behaviours can be reduced by improving quality of life by building:
a sense of safety and predictability into the environment
choice and control into daily life
a range of meaningful activities to engage in
a sense of purpose
supportive relationships and friendships
strengths and interests into areas of knowledge and joy
skills and independence with supported learning
successful communication methods
a strong and collaborative team approach
Positive behaviour support is implemented within a team approach to:
Identify behaviours of concern and goals of intervention
Gather information to identify the factors surrounding the behaviour
Improve quality of life
Using strategies to prevent confilct and triggers
Teach new skills
Behaviours that challenge could look like:
verbal aggression- swearing and yelling
physical aggression- hitting, scratching, throwing objects and kicking
physical aggression towards self- skin picking, head banging and cutting
withdrawal- avoiding tasks, people or activities
inappropraite sexual behaviour- sexual comments, touching private parts and coercian
There are many other challenging behaviours that communicate a need for a person that are not listed here.
