Positive behaviour support training is essential for anyone that would like to become a positive behaviour support practitioner. Training programs are focused on helping future practitioners learn to use the PBS framework itself – a person-centred approach that focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals who exhibit challenging behaviours by helping them adopt healthier habits.
Proper positive behaviour support training is crucial for fledgling professionals to become equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver PBS interventions effectively. With the right education and practical experience, professionals that utilise the PBS approach will be able to consistently assist people in overcoming their problematic conduct and improving their quality of life.
What is Positive Behaviour Support Training?
Positive behaviour support training programs provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of the people they serve – individuals with challenging behaviour. Guidelines for the education and training of practitioners are in place to make sure that they are on par with the standard of care.
Training is centred on learning to deal with all sorts of people that exhibit challenging behaviour. This includes not only those with intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental health disorders but also neurotypical children. Practitioners are provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess challenging behaviour and develop intervention plans. They learn to encourage constructive behaviour, improve social skills, and create a supportive environment for their clients.
Positive Behaviour Support Qualifications
Positive Behaviour Support Training for Practitioners
Training for practitioners involves skills improvement that is specific to the practitioner. Programs include instruction on evidence-based practices such as Applied Behaviour Analysis and PBS plan development.
During training, a candidate’s strengths are built on and their weaknesses are addressed. Future practitioners are given opportunities to develop the competencies that they will need to work with families, caregivers, other professionals, and of course, their clients.
General Qualifications Needed for Practitioners
Aside from a formal Positive Behaviour Support Training program, the other specific qualifications needed by PBS practitioners in Australia are:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in behavioural or social sciences, psychology, social work, or other relevant fields.
- Experience working in a role related to behaviour support. Counselling or working in a supportive role for individuals that have disabilities may also be considered. It is best to check with the NDIS and your institution about the eligibility of your specific program.
- An application with the NDIS to become a registered behaviour support practitioner.
What do you learn at Positive Behaviour Support Training?
Aspiring practitioners undergo extensive studies and specialised training to become capable providers of positive behaviour support. Among the areas of expertise that they are expected to learn are the following:
- Conducting a functional behavioural assessment: The first step of positive behaviour support is to understand the behaviour itself, which practitioners do through a thorough assessment.
- Crafting an evidence-based positive behaviour support plan: The intervention plan is the heart and soul of positive behaviour support; training to create a plan based on learnings from the assessment of the behaviour is one of the most important skills that a practitioner should develop.
- Recruiting relevant stakeholders and assessing their need for preparation: The client’s family members, the faculty at their school, and even their friends all have a role to play in the implementation of the plan; a part of positive behaviour support training is learning how to determine whether or not they are prepared to take on that role.
- Training partners in plan implementation: The same stakeholders will be the ones that spend the most time with the client – practitioners have to equip them with the skills that they need to be a positive transforming difference in the life of the client.
- Monitoring plan effectiveness: Positive behaviour support training also includes learning about how to check if a plan is working.
- Modifying plans as needed: Practitioners often have to tweak their plans as they go along in order to help their clients overcome their behavioural issues to the best of their abilities.
Working with their clients as well as their families and those involved in their education will demand a lot of patience, teamwork, and willingness to adjust. The instruction that they undergo to properly develop these qualities involves hard skills as well as soft skills.
Positive Behaviour Support in Schools: Training for Education
Positive behaviour support training can also be helpful to educators who work with individuals that exhibit challenging behaviours. This includes any education professionals that work with children, especially those on the autism spectrum or those with developmental disorders.
As some of their students will be adapting to their PBS intervention plans, educators can benefit from knowing about PBS and how they can contribute to improving the academic and social skills of these children. Positive behaviour support training for educators can help make the classroom a more holistic learning environment not only for the student receiving treatment but also for their peers and teachers.
Challenges and Limitations of Positive Behaviour Support Training
There are significant challenges to the proper delivery of Positive Behaviour Support Training. Variability in the quality of training programs continues to be a very significant limitation. Accessibility and affordability also come into play, especially for people that are just starting their careers.
Positive Behaviour Support Training Online
Various online programs are available for anyone that would like to get their foot in the door to a career in positive behaviour support. Some of the programs available for Australia include:
Take note that some of these courses are meant to be supplemental. Your local requirements to practise as a PBS professional still stand.
PBS Course
Undergoing a proper positive behaviour support training program is a necessary prerequisite for practitioners to help individuals with challenging behaviours by utilising the PBS approach. As PBS continues to gain recognition and acceptance, new opportunities to be of service to those that exhibit challenging behaviour arise every day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Positive Behaviour Support Training
What are the key principles of Positive Behaviour Support Training?
The key principles of Positive Behaviour Support Training include understanding the challenging behaviour, developing strategies to prevent it, and promoting more productive behaviour with reinforcement and recognition. Working with the individual’s strengths and addressing their weaknesses as well as creating a supportive environment are also key ingredients to enhancing their quality of life with a successful intervention plan.
How is Positive Behaviour Support Training different from traditional behaviour management approaches?
Traditional behaviour management approaches typically focus on controlling or punishing behaviour, while Positive Behaviour Support Training focuses on understanding and supporting the person. It involves collaboration with the person, their family and their support network. PBS puts a lot of emphasis on proactive, person-centred strategies that promote more socially appropriate behaviour.
How can I get trained in Positive Behaviour Support?
There are many training opportunities available for Positive Behaviour Support, including online courses, workshops, and certification programs. You might also be interested in consulting with professionals in the field to learn more about the approach and available training options.