WHAT IS POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT?
Video courtesy of National Disability Services https://www.nds.org.au/
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred, evidence-informed approach that aims to increase quality of life and reduce restrictions for people with disabilities.
All behaviour is communication. When an autistic person engages in behaviours of concern, this usually means that there are needs that are not being met. This could be because the person:
- Has trouble understanding what is happening around them, which can cause a lot of confusion and anxiety.
- Has difficulty communicating their own wants and needs to others, which can lead to frustration or things like pain not being recognised and treated.
- Feels overwhelmed by things in the environment because of sensory differences or needs to seek extra sensory input to stay regulated.
If we can address the underlying causes and improve the person’s life, behaviours of concern reduce.
PBS practitioners at Autism Abilities work closely with participants, their families, and support teams. They develop a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) for participants, with strategies to give the person the best chance at success while also safeguarding their rights and dignity.
WHAT DOES A BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONER DO?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practitioners work closely with the person, their family, and their support network to work out why behaviours of concern happen and develop plans for positive change.
Our PBS Practitioners Will:
- Work to build trust with the participant, their family, and their support team.
- Collect information from the person and their team about the best way to support them through conversations and observations.
- Gather data about the behaviours of concern to identify patterns and understand the function of the behaviour.
- Work with the person and their multidisciplinary teams (that might include teachers, therapists, support workers, and medical practitioners) to develop meaningful goals.
- Work with the person and their team to develop an effective Positive Behaviour Support Plan.
- Train those supporting the person in positive strategies.
- Work towards reducing and eliminating the need for restrictive practices.
- Provide reports and letters of support to the NDIS to ensure that the participant can get the funding they need.
Our PBS Practitioners Will Not:
- Recommend or endorse punishment in any form.
- Recommend or endorse unnecessary restrictive practices.
- Attempt to make participants mask autistic traits or suppress stimming behaviours that help them stay regulated.
- Assume that behaviours are happening because of something ‘wrong’ with the person rather than because of things in their environment that can be changed.
HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT?
Funding for Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Services is listed as Behaviour Supports in your NDIS plan. You may see it listed as the below two items:
- Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support including Training in Behaviour Management Strategies
- Behaviour Management Plan Implementation
Autism Abilities is an NDIS-registered service and therefore can provide support in both categories.
Cost involved
- Behaviour Support Services (face-to-face and non-face-to-face supports): $252.99 per hour
- Provider Travel: $126.50 per hour (50% of the service delivery rate)
- Kilometres: $1.00 per kilometre for non-labour travel
This is in accordance with current NDIS pricing arrangements (as of 1 July 2026).
Do you require Positive Behaviour Support but this is not funded in your current NDIS plan?
We may be able to assist you with evidence to support the need for funding in the form of a Funding Request Report. Please contact our office for further information.