Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an evidence-based approach designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with Autism by promoting positive behaviours and minimizing challenging behaviours. It focuses on understanding the function of behaviours, teaching alternative skills, and creating a supportive environment. When applying PBS for a child with Autism, it’s important to tailor the approach to the individual child’s needs, strengths, and challenges.
Table of Contents
12 tips for using Positive Behaviour Support to help regulate a child with Autism:
1. Identify and Understand the Function of the Behaviour
- Behavioural assessment: Start by determining the purpose of the behaviour. Is the child seeking attention, avoiding something, trying to gain sensory stimulation, or communicating an unmet need (e.g., hunger, fatigue, anxiety)? Understanding the “why” behind the behaviour is key to addressing it effectively.
- Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA): An FBA can help you understand the specific triggers, the behaviour itself, and its consequences. This helps you identify patterns and anticipate situations where the child might struggle.
2. Use proactive strategies
- Create a structured routine: Many children with Autism feel more secure and regulated when they know what to expect. A visual schedule or daily plan can provide clarity and reduce anxiety.
- Preventative interventions: Identify situations that may lead to frustration or distress and modify the environment to avoid those triggers. This could include minimizing sensory overload, reducing transitions, or offering breaks.
- Clear expectations: Set clear, consistent, and manageable expectations for behaviour. Use simple, concrete language or visual supports to convey what is expected.
3. Teach Alternative Behaviours
- Skill-building: Instead of focusing solely on reducing challenging behaviours, focus on teaching the child alternative, more acceptable ways to express their needs or emotions. For example, if a child is biting to express frustration, teach them to use a “calm down” card, ask for a break, or use a communication device.
- Communication training: If the child has limited verbal communication, work on functional communication skills (e.g., using picture exchange, augmentative communication devices, or sign language) so they can express their needs and desires more effectively.
4. Use Reinforcement Effectively
- Positive reinforcement: Reinforce positive behaviours with immediate rewards (e.g., praise, tokens, preferred activities) to encourage them. Be consistent and specific about what behaviour you are reinforcing.
- Motivational preferences: Identify what motivates the child (e.g., toys, snacks, activities, praise) and use those motivators to reinforce desired behaviours. Ensure that the reward is meaningful to the child.
- Gradual fading: As the child begins to use more appropriate behaviours, gradually fade out reinforcement to encourage independence.
5. Teach Self-Regulation Skills
- Calming strategies: Teach the child coping skills, such as deep breathing, squeezing a stress ball, or using a sensory tool like noise-cancelling headphones. These can help them manage frustration, anxiety, or sensory overload.
- Self-monitoring: With practice, children with Autism can learn to monitor their own behaviours. You might use a visual chart where the child can rate their feelings or track their behaviour in real-time.
- Modelling: Demonstrate how to regulate emotions by using calm-down strategies yourself. Children often learn by observing the behaviour of trusted adults.
6. Provide a Sensory-Friendly Environment
- Minimize sensory overload: Be mindful of sensory sensitivities such as loud noises, bright lights, or crowded spaces. Modify the environment as needed, creating a calm, quiet space where the child can retreat to if they need a break.
- Sensory breaks: Schedule sensory breaks throughout the day to help the child regulate themselves. These can include activities like jumping on a trampoline, swinging, or engaging with a tactile toy to provide sensory input.
7. Stay Calm and Consistent
- Calm responses: When a child is upset or exhibiting challenging behaviours, respond calmly and consistently. This helps prevent escalation and teaches the child how to manage emotional distress.
- Consistency across settings: Ensure that everyone working with the child (family members, teachers, therapists) uses the same strategies, language, and reinforcement to provide a consistent experience for the child.
8. Encourage Social Interaction and Play
- Structured social opportunities: Provide opportunities for the child to practice developing social skills in a safe, structured environment. Use role-playing or peer interactions to help the child learn appropriate social behaviours.
- Positive peer interactions: Create opportunities for the child to interact with peers who are positive role models. Use structured play and guided social activities to promote successful interactions.
- Social stories: Use social stories or video modelling to teach appropriate social behaviours, such as how to take turns, ask for help, or express emotions.
9. Involve the Child in the Process
- Choice-making: Allow the child to make choices whenever possible. Giving them control over some aspects of their environment or daily routine can reduce frustration and promote self-determination.
- Empowerment: Teach the child self-advocacy skills so they can express their needs, preferences, and feelings. This helps them feel more in control of their environment and reduces reliance on challenging behaviours.
10. Collaborate with a Team
- Family involvement: Involve the child’s family in developing strategies and interventions. Parents can provide insight into what works at home and share successes or challenges with the team.
- Professional support: Work closely with professionals, such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and behaviour analysts and psychologists, to ensure a holistic approach that addresses the child’s needs across different domains.
11. Monitor Progress and Adjust Strategies
- Data collection: Track the child’s behaviour to monitor progress. Data helps you evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and identify any emerging patterns.
- Be flexible: Be open to adjusting interventions based on the child’s evolving needs. What works at one stage may need modification as the child grows or faces new challenges.
12. Focus on Building Strengths
- Strength-based approach: Focus on the child’s strengths and interests to build their self-esteem. Encouraging them in areas they excel (e.g., art, music, math) can improve their confidence and motivation to engage in positive behaviours.
Summary
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is most effective when it’s individualized, proactive, and rooted in understanding the child’s unique needs. It’s about creating a supportive, predictable environment where the child can develop the skills, they need to regulate their behaviour, communicate their needs, and participate in daily activities with confidence.
By using PBS principles, you can help a child with Autism thrive, minimize challenging behaviours, and foster positive growth and development.
Transform Life is a NDIS registered organisation that provide support for your autistic child, as well as support to you as a parent to best navigate the challenges your child and family face on a daily basis.
Book your consult with an experienced Therapist at Transform Life to explore how OT, PBS and Speech Therapy can support you and your family.
