What Is Positive Behaviour Support and How Can It Help My Child?
Every parent has had a moment when their child's behaviour leaves them stuck: the meltdown that seems to come from nowhere, the refusal to follow instructions, or the aggression that feels completely out of character. It's easy to feel like you've run out of strategies. Positive Behaviour Support looks at these moments differently. Instead of simply trying to stop a behaviour, it asks what the behaviour is trying to tell us, and builds a plan around that answer.
What Is Positive Behaviour Support?
Positive Behaviour Support, often shortened to PBS, is an evidence-based approach that helps children and young people who are showing behaviours of concern, such as aggression, self-injury, property damage, or behaviours that put them or others at risk. Rather than focusing only on managing the behaviour itself, PBS starts from the idea that all behaviour serves a purpose. A child might be communicating frustration, seeking sensory input, avoiding a difficult task, or trying to get their needs met in the only way they currently know how.
At AIM Therapy, our Positive Behaviour Support team works with children, families and the wider support network to understand the "why" behind a behaviour, then teaches safer, more effective ways for a child to get that same need met.
How Does PBS Work?
Positive Behaviour Support is a structured, collaborative process. While every plan is tailored to the individual child, it generally follows a similar path:
- Functional behaviour assessmentOur practitioner observes the child across different settings and gathers information from parents, carers and teachers to understand when, where and why the behaviour happens.
- Identifying the functionWe look for patterns to work out what the behaviour is achieving for the child, whether that's escaping a demand, gaining attention, accessing something they want, or self-regulating.
- Developing a behaviour support planA written plan sets out proactive strategies to prevent the behaviour, new skills to teach the child, and safe, consistent responses for the people around them.
- Coaching the support teamParents, carers, teachers and other therapists are supported to apply the plan consistently, since consistency across environments makes the biggest difference to outcomes.
- Reviewing and adjustingThe plan is monitored and refined over time as the child builds new skills and circumstances change.
Who Can Benefit from Positive Behaviour Support?
PBS can support children and young people with a wide range of needs. It's commonly used alongside other therapies as part of a broader support plan.
Common Reasons for Referral
- Frequent meltdowns or aggressive behaviour
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Difficulty following instructions or transitioning between activities
- Behaviours impacting participation at school or in the community
Who We Support
- Children with autism or ADHD
- Children with an intellectual disability
- Children with limited verbal communication
- Families needing consistent, whole-team strategies
What Does PBS Look Like Day to Day?
In practice, PBS strategies are often simple, practical changes woven into everyday routines. This might include adjusting a morning routine to reduce transition-related meltdowns, introducing a visual schedule so a child knows what's coming next, teaching a child to request a break instead of escalating, or agreeing on a consistent, calm response across home and school when a behaviour does occur. The goal is always to build the child's skills and independence, not just to reduce the behaviour in the short term.
Positive Behaviour Support and NDIS Funding
Positive Behaviour Support is a recognised NDIS support, and many families access it as part of their child's plan. AIM Therapy is a registered provider, so PBS sessions may be funded through NDIS funding, and in some cases Medicare or private health insurance rebates may also apply. Our team can help you understand which pathway fits your family's situation.
How AIM Therapy Can Help Your Child
Our Positive Behaviour Support practitioners work with children and young people aged 0–18, alongside families, schools and our multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists and psychologists. Support is available across our four clinics across Perth in Balcatta, Joondalup, Canning Vale and Jindalee, as well as at school, at home, in the community, or via telehealth where appropriate.
Wondering if PBS could help your child?
Our team is happy to talk through what you're noticing and help you find the right support. No referral required.
Get in Touch with Our Team