What Is Positive Behaviour Support – and Why It Matters More Than Ever

If you've ever felt confused about what Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) actually means, you're not alone. It’s one of those terms that gets thrown around in NDIS meetings, school plans, and reports, but not always explained clearly.

As someone who works with individuals, families, and support teams every day, I want to break it down in a way that’s simple, real, and most importantly - useful.

So, what is PBS?

Positive Behaviour Support is a respectful, person-centred approach to understanding and responding to behaviours that might be challenging, confusing, or distressing. Rather than trying to "control" behaviour, PBS focuses on figuring out why it’s happening in the first place.

We don’t ask: “How do we stop this?”

We ask: “What is this person trying to communicate, and how can we help meet that need in a safer way?”

It’s built on the idea that all behaviour serves a purpose. Whether someone is yelling, shutting down, running off, or refusing to engage, there’s always a reason. Our job is to uncover it.

Why is PBS so important right now?

In 2025, more people across Australia are accessing NDIS-funded behaviour support than ever before. But more importantly, we're seeing a shift. Families, schools, and services are recognising that:

• Behaviour is a form of communication

• Trauma, sensory overload, and unmet needs can all drive distress

• Punishment doesn't work, but understanding does

• Human rights matter, including for people with disabilities

This is especially relevant for neurodivergent individuals, people with intellectual disabilities, and those who've experienced trauma. PBS provides a framework to support them with dignity and clarity.

What does PBS actually look like in real life?

Here’s a quick example. Let’s say an 11-year-old named Kara is refusing to go to school. Instead of punishing her or assuming she’s being “naughty,” a PBS approach might look like:

• Talking to Kara’s mum and teachers to find out when the refusal started

• Looking for triggers (e.g. sensory overwhelm, fear, transitions)

• Developing visual supports or routines that help her feel safe

• Teaching Kara calming strategies that actually work for her

• Training staff to respond consistently and supportively

And the goal? Not just to stop the refusal, but to build trust, confidence, and meaningful skills that last beyond the short-term plan.

PBS isn’t just for “challenging behaviour”

Let’s bust this myth while we’re here. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from PBS. In fact, many of the families I work with say that PBS has helped them:

• Build better communication with their child

• Understand their own parenting responses

• Reduce stress and feel more confident

• Create calmer home and school environments

It’s not about ticking boxes or writing reports. It’s about changing lives and making things work better for everyone involved.

Final thoughts

At One Step Ahead, we believe that behaviour is never random. Every action tells a story, and every person deserves to be understood not judged.

If you’re navigating complex behaviours or just need support making sense of things, PBS could be a really helpful path forward. And if you’ve got questions? You’re always welcome to reach out. We're here to walk alongside you.