Positive behaviour support practitioners are trained to assess support for a diverse range of conditions and are able to formulate a positive behaviour support plan. The first stage when meeting an NDIS patient is to sit down with the parents/carers and the healthcare professional carries out an assessment that includes input from the carers.
The plan might include the following:
- Improving communication & social skills
- Changes to the home environment
- Best responses for unsafe behaviours
- Stress and anger management
Core concepts of positive behaviour support
One reason why positive behaviour support is successful is that it is based on the idea that all behaviour serves a purpose; difficult behaviour can be reduced if you know what the person is trying to achieve. A certified positive behaviour support practitioner has extensive experience in dealing with negative or unsafe behaviour and has the ability to accurately assess, formulate and deliver positive behaviour support.
Autism & ADHD
There are many Australian children that suffer from autism and ADHD and if negative behaviour is exhibited, there will be underlying reasons for this. A classic example is an autistic boy who misbehaves at school, which leads to him being sent home; what the boy really wants is to be at home with his parents and once this has been identified, you can work on reducing the anxiety and fear that is causing the negative behaviour. Click here for further reading on autism.
The importance of understanding behaviours
It is crucial to gain an understanding of various behaviours and if your child is registered with NDIS, you should contact Ability Action Australia, an organisation that connects you with local positive behaviour support practitioners, who can help you set up a plan.
Teaching new skills
This is one way to combat unsafe behaviour; teaching a child new skills can lead to a cessation of the behaviour you are trying to change, which is the best way to achieve the goals. Learning effective ways to communicate their needs definitely improves things and with professional help, positive changes are achievable.
Environment modification
In some cases, the layout of the home is causing issues and the positive behaviour support practitioner can assess the home in question and make a few suggestions. This might involve physical surroundings, routines or changes in ways of communication.
Collaborative teamwork
To achieve the best results, the positive behaviour support practitioner works closely with the patient, their parents and carers. A team effort to consistently provide positive support that focuses on sustained positive change.
Local support
Wherever you happen to live in Australia, there are local healthcare professionals who can travel to your home; NDIS healthcare professionals are generally mobile and travel to their patients, while you can travel to a healthcare centre if you prefer.
Search online for more information about the NDIS and if you have yet to do so, register your child if they have a disability.