What Is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) — And Who Is It For?
When a child or adult displays behaviours that are described as challenging, it can feel overwhelming for families, carers, schools, and support teams. There may be emotional outbursts, withdrawal, aggression, self-injury, shutdowns, or difficulties with daily routines and relationships.
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) offers a compassionate, evidence-based approach that focuses not on “fixing” behaviour — but on understanding it.
At Thrive PBS, we believe behaviour always has a purpose. PBS helps us understand why behaviours occur and how we can support meaningful, long-term change that improves quality of life.
What Is Positive Behaviour Support?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an evidence-informed approach used under the NDIS to support people whose behaviours may be impacting their safety, wellbeing, learning, or participation in everyday life.
PBS is grounded in:
- Psychology
- Behaviour science
- Trauma-informed practice
- Neurodiversity-affirming principles
- Human rights and dignity
Rather than focusing on punishment or control, PBS aims to:
- Understand the function of behaviour
- Reduce the need for restrictive practices
- Teach new skills and coping strategies
- Improve emotional regulation, communication, and independence
- Create supportive environments where people can thrive
In simple terms, PBS asks the question:
“What is this behaviour telling us — and how can we support this person better?”
What Does PBS Actually Look At?
PBS looks beyond the behaviour itself and considers the whole person.
This includes:
- Communication skills
- Emotional regulation
- Sensory needs
- Trauma history
- Mental health
- Environment (home, school, community)
- Relationships and social experiences
- Predictability, routine, and expectations
Behaviours often emerge when a person:
- Cannot communicate their needs effectively
- Is overwhelmed, dysregulated, or unsafe
- Has unmet sensory or emotional needs
- Lacks the skills required to cope with demands
- Has experienced trauma, instability, or exclusion
PBS works to address these underlying needs — not just the outward behaviour.
What Is a PBS Assessment?
A key part of PBS is the Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA).
An FBA helps identify:
- What behaviours are occurring
- When and where they happen
- What happens before and after the behaviour
- What the person may be trying to communicate or achieve
From this, a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) is developed. This plan is practical, individualised, and focused on:
- Prevention strategies
- Skill development
- Environmental adjustments
- Safe and respectful responses to behaviour
- Reducing distress and risk
Who Is PBS For?
Positive Behaviour Support is suitable for children, adolescents, and adults who experience behaviours of concern related to disability, neurodiversity, mental health, or trauma.
PBS may be helpful for people who experience:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Intellectual disability
- Psychosocial disability
- Trauma and attachment difficulties
- Learning difficulties
- Complex mental health conditions
PBS supports individuals across many settings, including:
- Home
- School
- Out-of-Home Care
- Supported accommodation
- Community environments
Common Reasons People Access PBS
PBS can support individuals who experience:
- Emotional outbursts or meltdowns
- Aggression or self-injury
- Withdrawal or shutdowns
- Difficulty with transitions or routines
- School refusal or classroom challenges
- Social and relationship difficulties
- Sensory overload
- Anxiety-driven behaviours
- Risk-related behaviours
Importantly, PBS is not about labelling someone as “challenging” — it is about understanding their needs and supporting positive outcomes.
What PBS Is NOT
There are many misconceptions about behaviour support. PBS is not:
- Punishment-based
- Compliance-focused
- About forcing behaviour change
- About “fixing” neurodivergence
- About ignoring emotions
PBS is about support, understanding, dignity, and safety.
How PBS Helps Families and Support Networks
PBS does not only support the individual — it also supports:
- Parents and carers
- Teachers and educators
- Support workers
- Foster and kinship carers
Through PBS, families and teams gain:
- Clear strategies that actually work
- Confidence in responding to behaviour
- Reduced stress and burnout
- Greater consistency across environments
- Improved relationships and trust
PBS Under the NDIS
Under the NDIS, PBS sits within Capacity Building Supports and is typically funded under Improved Relationships.
PBS funding can support:
- Functional Behaviour Assessments
- Positive Behaviour Support Plans
- Ongoing behaviour support sessions
- Training and coaching for carers and staff
- Review and monitoring of behaviour strategies
PBS funding is particularly important when behaviours are impacting safety, participation, or quality of life.
Our Approach at Thrive PBS
At Thrive PBS, our approach is:
- Trauma-informed
- Neuro-affirming
- Person-centred
- Evidence-based
- Compassionate and practical
We work closely with families, schools, carers, and support teams to ensure behaviour support is realistic, respectful, and sustainable.
We believe:
- Behaviour is communication
- Every person deserves to feel safe and understood
- Change happens through connection, not control
Is PBS Right for You or Your Child?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start — PBS may help.
You do not need to wait for things to reach crisis point. Early, supportive intervention can make a significant difference.
If you’d like to learn more about PBS or explore whether it’s the right fit, Thrive PBS is here to support you.