Winter 2019

Positive behavior support (PBS) is a package of evidence-based strategies to improve quality of life and decrease challenging behaviors. It teaches people new skills and alternative responses to replace challenging behaviors. This approach is positive, proactive and focuses on preventing challenging behaviors before they occur. There are several key features of PBS:

Person Centered

The hopes, goals and preferences of individuals are at the center of PBS. PBS practitioners help individuals live a life that is meaningful by providing them with opportunities to do the things they love. These opportunities differ from person to person and must be individualized.

Function Based

All behavior, appropriate and inappropriate, has a purpose. This purpose is also called a function. The four functions of behavior are:

• Attention from others
• Access to an item or activity
• Escape/avoidance of something undesirable
• Sensory stimulation

A functional behavior assessment is completed when challenging behaviors occur to determine why they are happening. After the reason for the behavior is determined, the individual is taught a new, more appropriate behavior to replace the challenging behavior.

Proactive

PBS aims to prevent challenging behaviors from occurring by changing surroundings in order to set individuals up for success. Situations that often lead to challenging behavior are identified during the functional behavior assessment. PBS practitioners try to minimize these situations when possible. When this is not possible, the individual is prepared in advance for the situation so they know what to expect and how to respond.

Data Driven

Data tells an important story which drives the PBS process. It tells us how often challenging behavior occurs, where it occurs and when it occurs. Data also helps inform decisions. It is used to evaluate individualized PBS plans and agency action plans to determine if the plan is working or needs changes.

Collaborative

PBS uses a team-based approach. This team does not have to be a formal team that is already established. It may include family members, friends, classroom aides, direct care staff or other people who know the individual well. The team provides valuable information during the functional behavior assessment, collects data and implements strategies outlined in the behavior support plan.