Top 10 Tips for Successful Implementation of a Positive Behaviour Support Plan  

Brisbane Behaviour Support: Helping You Get Started  

Behaviour support can be confusing and overwhelming at the start, especially if you have not heard of this before or are new to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We have created a list of top ten tips to help with implementing a positive behaviour support plan so that you can see real changes in behaviour and improvements in all areas of daily living.

The following tips have been mindfully put together to help you get the most out of your plan. As a Brisbane behaviour support provider, we work with families every day to guide this journey.

1. Understand extinction bursts  

An extinction burst is what we refer to when we see an increase in behaviours rather than a decrease in behaviours. The overall goal of a positive behaviour support plan is to change behaviours that are disruptive and interfere with the quality of life for both the participant and those who support them.

When we introduce any change, often the reaction is to increase the behaviours of concern or “up the ante” because individuals can become highly resistant to the idea of changing their behaviours. It is so important to understand that just because you are seeing an increase in the frequency of behaviours of concern, it will not last long!

2. Be consistent  

As part of the extinction burst, we need you to be consistent with implementing the changes. What confuses people is that there are some rules one day, and then they change the next. It is important to remain consistent with any changes, as this will assist with reducing behaviours of concern. This is a core strategy in every Brisbane behaviour support plan we deliver.

Consistency is easier to maintain when support fits around your household, not the other way around. If getting a practitioner to you in person every week isn’t realistic, ask about running some sessions by telehealth instead, so the plan keeps moving even when logistics get in the way.

3. Use rewards to increase compliance with learning new skills and changing behaviour  

As with consistency, rewards only work if you ensure you are consistent with them. It is important to follow through with any promises, and please understand that when we implement a new reward chart, we expect to see some resistance. However, with consistency and reminding, the individual will gradually comply with using the reward chart. Your individual reward chart will be tailored to the individual, and we will do our best to ensure that we create reliable charts that work!

4. Be patient  

Implementing new strategies and changes to a household can be frustrating, especially because we’re all learning and doing our best. Please just remind yourself that it’s ok to make mistakes! We are only human and expect perfection; we will only set ourselves up to fail. Enjoy a coffee break, take some time out where possible and just breathe! Brisbane behaviour support often includes building in breaks and realistic goals for families and carers.

5. Model the behaviour you want to see  

It’s all good to say one thing but do another! When we are teaching and training new behaviours, it is important to model the same behaviour. An example of this is when you are trying to train someone to stop swearing. If you are modelling this behaviour, chances are that the individual you are trying to teach a different language to will continue to engage in this behaviour. We also mean that we want you to model any behaviour you are trying to teach, and this would include teaching an individual how to tie their shoelace, brush their teeth or even get dressed.

As the individual learns a new skill, it is important for them to have as many teaching opportunities as possible.

6. Understand different parenting styles and consequences  

There are four primary parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved.

1. Authoritative: High levels of demanding and responsiveness. Parents set clear boundaries and expectations, but they also provide warmth and understanding.
2. Authoritarian: High level of demandingness but low levels of responsiveness. Often, the parenting style is very strict and controlling, often using punishment to control.
3. Permissive: High in responsiveness but very low in demanding. Parents are warm and accepting however they often avoid setting rules.
4. Uninvolved: Low in both demandingness and responsiveness. Parents are considered uninvolved, providing little to no supervision, guidance, or support.

When considering consequences, it is essential to ensure they are fair and that you are not over-punishing. Ensure they are delivered immediately, not one day or one week later, and that the punishment does not exceed the behaviour of concern. These types of consequences are addressed in our Brisbane behaviour support sessions regularly.

7. Seek support from others, including family, groups and parenting groups  

There can be a lot of resources available in the community in which you live, so it is important to seek out support for yourself and your family. A number of parents have gone through the PBSP process and have found it to be confronting to begin with. However, it is important to understand that the process can be highly rewarding and worth the effort. Hearing from others who have experienced the same process as you can help build your confidence in making changes that can be permanent and beneficial. Our Brisbane behaviour support team regularly connects families with peer support and local resources.

8. Spend quality time together  

We often think that spending time together is enough. However, when we think about the ‘time’ spent together, we can notice that being present but inactive doesn’t count as quality time. When spending quality time together, you need to be 1:1 and engaged. This will help with building lasting and trusting relationships.

9. Open lines of communication with your practitioner  

In the initial stages of engagement with your behaviour practitioner, the more information you can share, the better the outcome will be. We include the individual’s history and any significant events that may have occurred or are still ongoing. Our Brisbane behaviour support practitioners rely on open communication to develop the most effective and realistic strategies for your household.

10. Remember that you love your individual  

Quite often, we get caught up in reactive responding to our people that we often overlook the nice times. It is so important to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that all of the work you put in today will pay off in the future.

Need Help with Your Positive Behaviour Support Plan?  

Whether you’re just starting with the NDIS or you’re already partway through implementation, our Brisbane behaviour support team is here to guide you. We support families and individuals across Brisbane, Redland Bay, Ipswich and surrounding suburbs. If your family is just getting started, you may also find it useful to read what to expect during a first behaviour support home visit.

Contact Behaviour Collaborations for professional support tailored to your needs.