Consider the following questions in relation to behaviour.

• Do you feel like you can no longer manage your child’s outbursts?
• Do you find yourself saying “don’t …” all the time?
• Is the person hurting themselves, others or property?
• Are you late to everything because of refusal to move?

Did you think “yes that’s us!” to one or more of these?

Behaviour support aims to improve the quality of a person’s life through understanding why the person is using behaviours that are of concern for themselves, or those around them.  Everything happens for a reason, and the concerning behaviour is one way of communicating what is happening for them, inside and out. Interaction Practitioners primarily use a set of research-based strategies used to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviour, by teaching new skills and making changes in a person’s environment. The support combines:

• Valued outcomes;
• Behavioural and biomedical science;
• Validated procedures; and
• Systems change to enhance quality of life and reduce problem behaviours.

How can behaviour support help me?

Behaviour support is a group effort between the person, their carers and any other important people in their life. This could include people like their doctor, workplace, school, therapist or support co-ordinator. Interaction’s practitioners can play a role too. Our team are all skilled in behaviour support assessment and intervention, using methods that are evidence based or informed and collaboratively developed. They are able to work with you to understand the situation, build on the support networks skills and strengths and design a plan that considers the person’s unique situation. Practitioners are able to support people at all stages of life, from early childhood all the way through to ageing.

Under the NDIS, Interaction’s team of practitioners can provide support services under the support cluster ‘Improved Relationships’. There are two support items participants can ask for:

• Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support; or
• Behaviour Management Plan, training in management strategies

Some of the services and activities that can be offered under improved relationship include;

• Behaviour Assessment (and Report)
• Development of plans such as a: Behaviour Intervention & Support Plan (BISP); Incident Prevention & Response Plan (IPRP); or Skill Development Plan.
• Support with Restricted Practices Authorisation (RPA) processes
• Training in any plans or related skills/knowledge e.g. what is Prader-Willi Syndrome? What is Depression? This can be delivered to Individuals or groups.
• Skill development e.g. reward systems, developing routines, building independence, social skills, understanding and handling emotions, problem solving
• Consultation e.g. during crisis, transition

Sometimes, the family in the participant’s life (e.g. siblings, parents) also need individual support, due to the impact of the person’s situation. This could either be through developing support skills and also therapy or counselling. Therapy and counselling may be available for family members under the ‘Improved Daily Living’ support cluster. This could be for issues such as; grief & loss, bullying, stress & coping, sibling support, building resilience and health behaviour change such as sleep practices.