Behaviour support is a term that is used to describe a range of interventions and therapies that are aimed at helping people with disabilities who exhibit challenging or disruptive behaviours. Typically, these behavioural tendencies are to a degree where they may be a risk to themselves or those around them. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide funding for behaviour support services, with the goal to reduce the implementation of restrictive practices. In this blog post, we will discuss what a behaviour support plan is, available therapies, the types of behaviours that can qualify someone for assistance, and how the NDIS can help.
What is the goal of behaviour support?
The goal of behaviour support is to increase an individual’s quality of life and decrease the use of restrictive practices. This is by providing a series of techniques and coping mechanisms to the individual. A restrictive practice is a term used to describe any intervention that limits an individual’s rights or freedom of movement. By reducing the use of restrictions on the individual, they can consistently move towards living more self-sufficient and independent lives.
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
PBS is having the right plan of action in the instance of a potential behavioural disruption arising. It’s essential the ideal support network is in place and those around the person within the support program are trained on how to provide them with the support they need.
It’s commonly referred to as a person-centred approach which means the focus is on the individual and their specific needs rather than the behaviours being displayed. The aim is to help the person understand why they might be feeling a certain way and how to better deal with those emotions without resorting to disruptive or harmful behaviours.
PBS plans are developed by a team of people who work hard to understand the individual on a deep level. This team could include, but is not limited to, family members, Support Workers, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Behaviour Therapists. The focus of a PBS plan is always on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. The aim is to encourage wanted behaviours rather than discourage unwanted behaviours.
PBS plans are unique to each individual as every person has different triggers, identification of these triggers is vital to the development of a successful PBS plan.
The goal of a PBS plan is to:
- Increase an individual’s quality of life
- Decrease the use of restrictive practices
- Empower individuals to understand their emotions and how to best deal with them
- Decrease the frequency or reduce the potential of any potential behavioural disruptions
- Increase the care recipient’s ability to be independent
Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)
An FBA is conducted as part of the process of developing a Positive Behaviour Support Plan. It’s an individualised assessment that looks at the person, their environment and the behaviour itself to try and identify any patterns or triggers that might be causing the behaviours.
The information gathered during an FBA is used to develop a behaviour support plan that’s aimed at changing the behaviour by altering any triggers or environmental factors that might be causing it.
What Types of Behaviours Qualify Someone for Behaviour Support
There is a wide range of behaviours that can qualify someone for behaviour support services. Some common examples include:
- Aggressive outbursts
- Self-injury or injuring those around them
- Property destruction
- Disruptive or intrusive behaviours
Types of Therapies Available to Those That Require Behavioural Support
There are a variety of therapies that can be used to provide behaviour support. The type of therapy that is most appropriate for an individual will be based on the results of their Functional Behaviour Assessment. Some common examples of therapies that might be used include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Applied Behaviour Analysis
- Play Therapy
NDIS and Behaviour Support
The NDIS provides funding for a range of support services to assist families that require behaviour support. They offer support by building a comprehensive support plan based on the individual needs of the person with the goal to encourage positive behaviour and minimise the potential for disruptive outbursts. The NDIS can fund an assortment of services including, but not limited to:
- Early Childhood Intervention Services
- Therapy Services
- Psychological Services
- Specialist Behaviour Support services
OSAN is Here to Help
If you or someone you know is displaying behaviours that are impacting their quality of life, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with OSAN Ability Assist on 1300 799 941 to talk to a real person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer an amazing support network of Carers and Allied Health professionals that offer a wealth of experience in behavioural support treatment and management. Get in touch with us today, we’re here to help!
