Positive behaviour support is a system of strategies and techniques designed to teach children new, more appropriate behaviours while also reducing the occurrence of challenging behaviours. Positive behaviour support has its roots in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) but takes a more holistic approach that considers the child’s entire environment, including family, school, and community factors.
Positive behaviour support aims to prevent problem behaviours from occurring in the first place by teaching children alternative, more adaptive behaviours. When problem behaviours do occur, positive behaviour support focuses on responding in a way that will reduce the likelihood of those behaviours happening again in the future.
This may include providing immediate reinforcement for desired behaviours, as well as consistent consequences for undesirable behaviours.
The Three Core Principles Of PBS
- The three core principles of positive behaviour support are:
- identify the function of the problem behaviour;
- develop a hypothesis about how to change the problem behaviour
- implement and evaluate the intervention.
Each of these principles is important in its own right, but when they are applied together, they can be extremely effective in helping individuals with challenging behaviours achieve positive outcomes.
Identify The Function Of The Problem Behavior
Identifying the function of the problem behaviour is important because it helps to determine which intervention will be most effective. For example, if a child is engaging in disruptive behaviour in order to get attention, then an intervention that provides attention for desired behaviours is likely to be more successful than one that simply punishes the disruptive behaviour.
Develop A Hypothesis About How To Change The Problem Behavior
Developing a hypothesis about how to change the problem behaviour, is important because it helps to ensure that the intervention is based on sound scientific principles. This principle also helps to improve the chances that the intervention will be successful by making sure that it is tailored specifically to the individual and their unique situation.
Implement And Evaluate The Intervention.
Implementing and evaluating the intervention is important because it allows for ongoing tracking of progress and modification of the intervention as needed. This principle also helps to ensure that any potential risks associated with the intervention are identified and addressed quickly.
How PBS Can Help Children With Autism
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is a type of intervention that can be used to help children with autism. PBS focuses on reinforcing positive behaviours and teaching new skills while reducing or eliminating problem behaviours. Often, PBS interventions are individualized to meet the child’s specific needs.
However, there are some general goals of PBS that include improving communication, social skills, and self-regulation. PBS can be used in various settings, such as at home, in school, or in the community. When implemented correctly, PBS can be an effective way to improve the lives of children with autism.
The Benefits Of PBS For Teachers And Parents
There are many benefits to using PBS, both for teachers and parents. PBS has been shown to reduce disruptive behaviours in the classroom, improve academic performance, and increase positive social interactions. For parents, PBS can provide tools and strategies for managing challenging behaviours at home.
Perhaps most importantly, PBS fosters an atmosphere of respect and cooperation between adults and children. When used correctly, Positive Behavior Support can be an invaluable tool for teaching children self-regulation and responsible behaviour.
How To Get Started With PBS In Your Home Or Classroom
Positive behaviour support is a prevention-oriented approach that proactively provides the necessary support to promote positive behaviours and prevent problem behaviours from happening. There are many ways to get started with positive behaviour support, but one of the best ways is to start by conducting a functional behaviour assessment. This will help you to identify what the antecedents and consequences are for the target behaviour.
Once you have this information, you can begin to develop a positive behaviour support plan that includes strategies such as reinforcement, social skills training, and behaviour interventions. Implementing a positive behaviour support plan can be challenging, but it can make a big difference in the overall climate of your home or classroom.
Positive behaviour support has been shown to be an effective intervention for children with a wide range of abilities and needs. It can be used in both home and school settings and can be tailored to meet the individual needs of each child.
If you are interested in exploring positive behaviour support as an option for your child, please consult with your child’s doctor or another mental health professional like Iconic care.
