Presented by Katherine M Turner Vancouver Island Social Integration Tutoring

Historical Approach to Problem Behaviour

Most problem behaviour has been viewed as:
Inevitable, if the person has a label

Autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Down Syndrome

Existing primarily within the person who engages in the

behaviour Maladaptive The goal of intervention has been to eliminate or reduce the behaviour through behaviour management techniques/procedures We have relied primarily on reactive interventions that follow problem behaviour
(negative consequences, punishment)

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a

way of working with, and supporting, individuals whose behaviour is a challenge for others or whose behaviour limits their opportunities to fully participate in their community.

PBS is:
A proactive, assessment based approach that is consistent with the science of behavior and person centered action
It examines the individual within their life context It encourages collaboration among families and professional from a variety of disciplines It is dynamic and responsive It expands in response to a growing research base and adapting to the changing community It is about skill and capacity building

What PBS is not:

It is not simply about reducing specific behaviours It is not about stopping the individual It does not use a single intervention Is not instantaneous

PBS is based on these values:

Individuals have gifts and hopes and dreams
Individuals are members of families, peer groups, neighbourhoods and society Individuals influence their circumstances in personally meaningful ways Individuals have the right to be treated with dignity and understanding Relationships and contexts impact the quality of the individuals life

Problem Behaviours
Everyone has problem behaviours All behaviours serve a purpose Difficult behaviour does not occur in a social vacuum You cannot change the person you can only change

yourself & your approach to the problem behaviour

Whose problem is it?

Contributing Factors for Challenging Behaviours

Social factors - poor care, abuse, inappropriate or

inadequate teaching, neglect

Cognitive factors deficient problem solving skills,

weak social skills or communication deficits

Biological factors organic brain dysfunction (mental

illness or developmental disability), hearing or sight deficits, sensory integration challenges

Emotional factors stability, relationships

Some Reasons People Do Things

To gain attention To escape or avoid something or someone To gain something tangible such as food or money To escape boredom To self stimulate

PBS
Who is this person - History, Likes and Dislike, Education, Hopes, Family, Friends Identify Problem Behaviour to be addressed - Define problem behaviour Find out why the person does what they do data collection and assessment Develop a Plan - Ensure there is a good fit for person and supporting individuals Ensure expectations are person centered, develop

skills, and increase the individuals quality of life

Intervention
Positive, proactive, educational and functional. These are interwoven multi-component strategies that include:
1) Proactive strategies for changing the environment so

that settings events/triggers are managed 2) Teaching new skills that replace problem behaviours 3) Minimizing natural rewards for problem behaviours 4) Maximizing rewards for appropriate behaviours

10 principles of PBS
Behaviour usually happens for a good reason
Challenging behaviour develops in the same way as

acceptable behaviour
Functional assessment can be helpful in working out the

why and when behaviour occurs

Intervention must be based on understanding why a

behaviour occurs
Intervention goals should be educational for individual

10 Principles of PBS continued

Meaningful lifestyle changes are the goal Intervention that does not acknowledge

communication is a poor intervention

Challenging behaviours range widely in their

presentation and in their cause

Challenging behaviour is a social construct
A standardized approach is not likely to succeed

Questions and Comments

Katherine M Turner PO Box 2301 Ladysmith BC V9G 1B8

250 616 4854 visitwithkatherineturner@yahoo.com