Parent-Led Training in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an approach that empowers parents to play an active role in promoting positive behaviours in their children. It combines principles of Positive Behaviour Support with training strategies for parents to help them manage challenging behaviours and teach new, more adaptive behaviours. The goal is to improve a child’s quality of life while supporting parents in their role as the primary caregivers and educators.
Table of Contents
Here's an overview of how parent-led training in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) typically works:
1. Understanding Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
PBS is a framework that focuses on understanding the reasons behind a child’s behaviour and using proactive, individualized strategies to teach positive behaviours. It’s grounded in the following principles:
- Prevention: Minimizing triggers that lead to challenging behaviour.
- Teaching new skills: Fostering appropriate behaviours by teaching children the skills they need to succeed.
- Support: Providing ongoing support to the child and their family to maintain positive changes.
2. Components of Parent-Led PBS Training
A. Assessment of Behaviour
The first step in any PBS approach is to assess the behaviour in question. This involves:
- Identifying target behaviours: What specific behaviours need to change (e.g., aggression, non-compliance, tantrums)?
- Functional behaviour assessment (FBA): Understanding the “why” behind the behaviour. This may involve identifying triggers (antecedents), the behaviour itself, and its consequences.
- Setting goals: Establishing clear, measurable goals for behaviour change.
B. Teaching and Implementing Proactive Strategies
Parents are taught how to:
- Modify the environment to reduce triggers for challenging behaviours.
- Use positive reinforcement to reward appropriate behaviour and reinforce desired outcomes.
- Create routines and structure to promote predictability and reduce anxiety or frustration for the child.
C. Developing New Skills
Parents learn how to:
- Teach alternative behaviours (e.g., teaching a child to ask for help instead of engaging in aggressive behaviour).
- Break skills down into manageable steps and use prompting techniques.
- Provide consistent, appropriate feedback to encourage learning.
D. Reinforcement and Consequences
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) relies on positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
Parents are trained in:
- Using praise, rewards, and other reinforcers (e.g., a preferred activity) to encourage desired behaviours.
- Understanding when and how to apply natural consequences to reinforce the link between actions and outcomes.
E. Ongoing Monitoring and Adaptation
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) involves continuous evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the strategies in place.
Parents are encouraged to:
- Track progress by keeping records of behaviour patterns and interventions.
- Make adjustments as necessary based on the child’s progress.
3. Supporting Parent Empowerment
Parent-led PBS training emphasizes that parents are not only the recipients of information, but they are also the agents of change in their child’s behaviour. The training involves:
- Building confidence in parents so they feel competent in managing their child’s behaviour.
- Providing emotionally supportive networks for parents (e.g., support groups, peer mentoring, or access to professional guidance).
- Teaching self-care strategies to ensure parents don’t burn out from the demands of behaviour management.
4. Tailoring the Approach to Each Family
Each child is unique, and so are the challenges faced by each family. Parent-led PBS is individualized, taking into account:
- The child’s age, developmental level, and specific needs.
- The family’s resources, cultural context, and values.
- Any other factors that could affect behaviour (e.g., mental health issues, medical conditions, or trauma).
5. Parent Training Models
Several models exist to provide parent training in PBS, including:
- Individual training: One-on-one sessions between a behaviour consultant or therapist and the parent.
- Group training: Workshops or classes where multiple parents learn strategies together.
- Online resources and self-paced learning: Some programs offer webinars, videos, or printed materials that parents can use at their own pace.
6. Benefits of Parent-Led PBS
- Improved Behaviour: Children typically demonstrate a reduction in challenging behaviours and an increase in positive behaviours when PBS is properly implemented.
- Better Parent-Child Relationships: PBS emphasizes respect, communication, and consistency, which can strengthen the bond between parent and child.
- Increased Parent Confidence: Parents who are trained in PBS strategies often report feeling more in control and capable of managing their child’s behaviour.
- Sustainable Changes: By teaching parents to implement strategies on their own, PBS promotes long-term, sustainable behaviour change that doesn’t rely on constant external intervention.
7. Challenges in Parent-Led PBS
- Consistency: Parents may struggle to implement strategies consistently, particularly when managing multiple children or facing stressors in daily life.
- Support and Resources: Lack of access to trained professionals or appropriate resources can hinder the success of the program.
- Time Commitment: Behavioural interventions may require a significant time investment, which can be a challenge for busy families.
Summary
Parent-led training in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a proactive, evidence-based approach that enables parents to take an active role in their child’s behavioural development. By focusing on understanding the root causes of behaviour and teaching positive skills, PBS helps both children and parents thrive. Training is flexible and adaptable, ensuring that each family can implement strategies that work for them.
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.
