What Does Positive Behaviour Support Mean?

Positive Behaviour Support combines principles from behavioural science, psychology, disability support and person-centred practice.
The focus is not on punishment or control.
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Instead, PBS asks important questions such as:
  • Why is this behaviour occurring?
  • What need is being communicated?
  • What skills might the person need?
  • How can the environment be adjusted to better support success?
  • How can quality of life be improved?

PBS recognises that behaviour often serves a purpose and that lasting change is most likely when underlying needs are understood and addressed.
The History of Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support emerged from behavioural science, disability advocacy and human rights movements.
Historically, behaviour support often relied on punishment-based approaches that focused primarily on reducing behaviour without understanding its causes.

Over time, researchers, clinicians and disability advocates recognised the importance of understanding behaviour within the broader context of a person's life.
Modern Positive Behaviour Support emphasises:
  • Human rights
  • Dignity and respect
  • Person-centred practice
  • Skill development
  • Quality of life outcomes
  • Reduction of restrictive practices

​Today, PBS is considered best practice within many disability and support services across Australia.
Why Do Behaviours Happen?

One of the core principles of Positive Behaviour Support is recognising that behaviour often serves a purpose.
Behaviour can be a way of communicating:
  • Frustration
  • Anxiety
  • Fear
  • Sensory overload
  • Pain or discomfort
  • Confusion
  • A need for help
  • A need for connection
  • A desire to escape a difficult situation
For example, a child who refuses school may be experiencing anxiety. A person who becomes distressed during transitions may be struggling with uncertainty or communication difficulties.
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Understanding the reason behind behaviour allows support teams to develop strategies that address underlying needs rather than simply responding to the behaviour itself.
Behaviour as Communication

Many individuals who access PBS supports experience challenges with communication, emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing or coping with stress.

When needs cannot be effectively communicated through words, behaviour may become the primary method of communication.

Positive Behaviour Support focuses on helping individuals develop safer and more effective ways to communicate their needs while also helping families, carers and support teams understand what behaviour may be communicating.
The Core Principles of Positive Behaviour Support

Person-Centred Practice
Support is tailored to the individual's strengths, goals, preferences and support needs.
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Understanding Behaviour
PBS seeks to understand why behaviour occurs before developing support strategies.

Skill Development
Individuals are supported to build skills that increase independence and participation.

Quality of Life
The ultimate goal is improving quality of life rather than simply reducing behaviour.

Collaborative Practice
Families, carers, schools, support workers and therapists often play an important role in successful PBS outcomes.

Least Restrictive Practice
PBS aims to reduce reliance on restrictive practices wherever possible and promote safe, respectful and ethical support.
Positive Behaviour Support vs Traditional Behaviour Management

Traditional behaviour management approaches often focus primarily on reducing or stopping behaviour.
Positive Behaviour Support takes a broader approach.
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Traditional Behaviour Management
  • Focus on behaviour reduction
  • Often reactive
  • Behaviour viewed as the problem

Positive Behaviour Support
  • Focus on understanding behaviour
  • Proactive and preventative
  • Behaviour viewed as communication
  • Emphasis on skill development
  • Focus on quality of life

​PBS aims to create sustainable, long-term change rather than short-term compliance.
What Does a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner Do?

A Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner works alongside individuals, families and support teams to better understand behaviour and develop practical support strategies.
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A PBS practitioner may:
  • Complete Functional Behaviour Assessments
  • Develop Behaviour Support Plans
  • Identify behaviour triggers
  • Support emotional regulation
  • Teach coping strategies
  • Coach families and carers
  • Collaborate with schools and support teams
  • Review and monitor progress
The focus is on supporting meaningful participation, independence and wellbeing.
What Does Positive Behaviour Support Look Like in Practice?

Positive Behaviour Support looks different for every individual.
Examples may include:
  • Teaching communication skills
  • Using visual schedules
  • Adjusting routines
  • Supporting emotional regulation
  • Developing coping strategies
  • Environmental modifications
  • Parent coaching
  • School consultation
  • Support worker training
PBS is highly individualised and based on the person's unique strengths, goals and support needs.
Positive Behaviour Support in Schools

PBS can support students experiencing:
  • Emotional regulation difficulties
  • School refusal
  • Anxiety
  • Social challenges
  • Attention and concentration difficulties
  • Behavioural concerns
Support may involve collaboration with teachers, education assistants and families to create consistent strategies across environments.
The goal is to support participation, learning and wellbeing.
Examples of Positive Behaviour Support

Examples may include:
  • Teaching communication alternatives
  • Adjusting routines or environments
  • Supporting emotional regulation
  • Using visual supports or structure
  • Building coping strategies
Positive Behaviour Support in the NDIS

Positive Behaviour Support is a specialised NDIS-funded support designed to assist participants who experience behaviours of concern.
PBS funding is typically provided under the Improved Relationships category.
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NDIS PBS may involve:
  • Functional Behaviour Assessments
  • Behaviour Support Plans
  • Restrictive practice reduction strategies
  • Parent and carer coaching
  • Support worker training
  • Ongoing review and monitoring
Funding decisions are individualised and depend on the participant's goals and support needs.
Positive Behaviour Support for Autism

Positive Behaviour Support is commonly used with autistic individuals.
PBS for autism focuses on:
  • Understanding behaviour as communication
  • Supporting communication development
  • Reducing anxiety
  • Supporting emotional regulation
  • Addressing sensory needs
  • Increasing participation and independence
Support strategies are individualised and should always respect neurodiversity and individual differences.
Positive Behaviour Support for ADHD

Individuals with ADHD may benefit from PBS strategies that support:
  • Emotional regulation
  • Executive functioning
  • Organisation skills
  • Attention and concentration
  • Frustration tolerance
  • Daily routines
PBS helps identify environmental and behavioural factors that may impact participation and wellbeing.
Positive Behaviour Support Across the Lifespan

Positive Behaviour Support is not limited to children.
PBS can support:​

Children
Supporting communication, emotional regulation, participation and family wellbeing.

Teenagers
Supporting independence, emotional wellbeing, education and social participation.

Adults
Supporting employment, community participation, mental health and daily living.

Older Adults
Supporting individuals experiencing dementia, cognitive changes or complex support needs.
PBS can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals at different life stages.
Getting Started with Positive Behaviour Support

If you are exploring Positive Behaviour Support for yourself, your child or someone you support, the first step is understanding what supports may be most appropriate.

At Belong Health, our team provides Positive Behaviour Support services across Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, the Peel Region and wider Western Australia.

We can help you understand available options, NDIS pathways and the next steps for accessing support.
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Contact our team to discuss your situation and learn how Positive Behaviour Support may assist.
Start with a free conversation below or  call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email
If you’re looking for more detailed guidance:
Learn how PBS works in the NDIS

free 20min PBS Session
with our PBS Specialist for ages 0-65+

Empowering individuals and families, one goal at a time.
Connect with Belong Health to experience personalised PBS services in the Peel Region, Perth Metro or via Telehealth Across Australia.
Our Free Connect PBS session with a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner  is designed to address your unique needs and empower you or your family.
​Secure your spot today and discover how our team can help you thrive.
Get Started with Positive Behaviour Support
If you’re looking for Positive Behaviour Support services in Perth, Mandurah or the Peel region, our team is here to help.

​Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us a message

    Positive behAviour supports ENQUIRY FORM

Frequently Asked Questions - What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred, evidence-based approach that focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviour and supporting individuals to develop safer, more effective ways to meet their needs.

What is the main goal of Positive Behaviour Support?
The goal of Positive Behaviour Support is to improve quality of life, increase participation, build skills and reduce behaviours of concern through supportive and evidence-informed strategies.

How does Positive Behaviour Support work?
Positive Behaviour Support works by:
  • Understanding the purpose of behaviour
  • Identifying triggers and contributing factors
  • Teaching alternative skills
  • Adjusting environments
  • Supporting consistent responses across settings

What are the core principles of Positive Behaviour Support?
Positive Behaviour Support is based on:
  • Person-centred practice
  • Understanding behaviour
  • Skill development
  • Improving quality of life
  • Least restrictive approaches
  • Collaboration with families and support teams

What is the difference between Positive Behaviour Support and behaviour management?
Traditional behaviour management often focuses on reducing behaviours.
Positive Behaviour Support focuses on understanding why behaviours occur, improving quality of life and teaching alternative skills that help individuals meet their needs more effectively.

Why is understanding behaviour important in PBS?
PBS recognises that behaviour often serves a purpose or communicates a need. Understanding why behaviour occurs helps identify practical strategies that support long-term positive outcomes.

What are examples of Positive Behaviour Support strategies?
Examples may include:
  • Visual schedules
  • Communication supports
  • Emotional regulation strategies
  • Positive reinforcement
  • Environmental adjustments
  • Predictable routines
  • Parent and carer coaching

What are proactive strategies in Positive Behaviour Support?
Proactive strategies are supports used before behaviour occurs and may include:
  • Predictable routines
  • Visual supports
  • Communication supports
  • Environmental adjustments
  • Emotional regulation tools

What are reactive strategies in Positive Behaviour Support?
Reactive strategies provide guidance on how to respond safely, respectfully and consistently when behaviour occurs while maintaining dignity and reducing escalation.

What is a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment is a structured process used to understand why behaviours occur and identify the factors that may be contributing to them.

What is a Behaviour Support Plan?
A Behaviour Support Plan is an individualised document developed from assessment findings that outlines practical strategies to support participation, build skills and reduce behaviours of concern.

What should be included in a Behaviour Support Plan?
A Behaviour Support Plan may include:
  • Assessment findings
  • Behaviour functions and triggers
  • Early warning signs
  • Proactive strategies
  • Reactive strategies
  • Skill-building goals
  • Environmental recommendations

What does a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner do?
A PBS Practitioner may:
  • Conduct assessments
  • Complete Functional Behaviour Assessments
  • Develop Behaviour Support Plans
  • Coach families and support teams
  • Monitor progress
  • Review and adjust strategies over time

Who benefits from Positive Behaviour Support?
PBS may support children, adolescents and adults experiencing behaviours of concern, including individuals with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, psychosocial disability, acquired brain injury and other support needs.

What is Positive Behaviour Support for autism?
Positive Behaviour Support for autistic individuals focuses on understanding behaviour, supporting communication, reducing stressors, building skills and improving quality of life while respecting neurodiversity and individual differences.

What is Positive Behaviour Support in the NDIS?
Positive Behaviour Support is an NDIS-funded service that helps participants understand behaviours of concern, develop skills and improve quality of life through structured, evidence-informed and person-centred supports.

Do I need NDIS funding to use Positive Behaviour Support principles?
No. Positive Behaviour Support principles can be used at home, in schools, workplaces and community settings regardless of whether NDIS funding is available.

Does Positive Behaviour Support use punishment?
No. Positive Behaviour Support focuses on understanding behaviour, teaching skills and creating supportive environments rather than relying on punishment-based approaches.

Is Positive Behaviour Support evidence-based?
Yes. Positive Behaviour Support combines behavioural science, person-centred practice and evidence-informed interventions to support meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

How can Positive Behaviour Support improve quality of life?
PBS aims to:
  • Improve communication
  • Build emotional regulation skills
  • Increase independence
  • Support participation
  • Strengthen relationships
  • Reduce behaviours of concern
  • Improve overall wellbeing
​Related Resources

Core PBS Pages
Population-Specific PBS Pages
Emotional Regulation Resources Parent Resources Professional Services
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