What is Positive Behavior Support (PBS)?

Positive Behavior Support (PBS)

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a framework for creating and maintaining safe and supportive environments for people of all ages. It is based on the principles of positive reinforcement and prevention.

PBS is used in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, workplaces, and community agencies. It can be used to address a wide range of behaviors, including challenging behaviors.

How PBS works

PBS works by identifying and addressing the underlying causes of challenging behavior. It also focuses on promoting positive behaviors.

The first step in PBS is to identify the target behavior. This is the behavior that you want to change, increase, or decrease. Once you have identified the target behavior, you need to identify the triggers for the behavior and the consequences that are maintaining the behavior.

Once you understand the target behavior, its triggers, and its consequences, you can develop a PBS plan. A PBS plan is a written document that outlines the strategies that will be used to change the behavior. The PBS plan should be individualized to the person and the target behavior.

PBS plans typically include the following components:

  • Functional behavior assessment (FBA): An FBA is a process of identifying the triggers and consequences of a target behavior.
  • Positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement involves rewarding the person for exhibiting the desired behavior.
  • Proactive strategies: Proactive strategies are designed to prevent challenging behaviors from occurring in the first place.
  • Response procedures: Response procedures are designed to respond to challenging behaviors when they do occur.

Benefits of PBS

PBS has a number of benefits, including:

  • It is an evidence-based approach to behavior change. PBS has been shown to be effective in reducing challenging behaviors and promoting positive behaviors.
  • It is a humane and respectful approach. PBS focuses on understanding the person’s perspective and developing strategies that are tailored to their individual needs.
  • It is a collaborative approach. PBS involves working with the person, their family, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a PBS plan.
  • It is a proactive approach. PBS focuses on preventing challenging behaviors from occurring in the first place.
  • It is a data-driven approach. PBS uses data to monitor the person’s progress and to make adjustments to the PBS plan as needed.

Examples of PBS strategies

Here are some examples of PBS strategies:

  • Positive reinforcement:
    • Providing praise or attention when the person exhibits the desired behavior.
    • Giving the person a token or sticker that they can exchange for a reward.
    • Allowing the person to choose a preferred activity when they have completed a task.
  • Proactive strategies:
    • Developing a daily schedule or routine to help the person know what to expect.
    • Teaching the person coping skills to help them manage their emotions.
    • Providing the person with opportunities to engage in preferred activities.
  • Response procedures:
    • Ignoring the challenging behavior if it is safe to do so.
    • Providing the person with a time-out to help them calm down.
    • Using physical restraint if necessary to protect the person or others.

PBS in schools

PBS is widely used in schools to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

In a PBS school, the following strategies are typically implemented:

  • A clear and consistent set of school-wide expectations: All students and staff are taught and expected to follow the school’s expectations.
  • Positive reinforcement: Students are rewarded for exhibiting positive behaviors.
  • Proactive strategies: Teachers use a variety of proactive strategies to prevent challenging behaviors from occurring in the first place.
  • Response procedures: Teachers have a plan in place for responding to challenging behaviors when they do occur.

PBS in care homes

PBS can also be used at home to create a positive and supportive environment for children and adolescents.

Here are some tips for using PBS at home:

  • Identify the target behavior. What behavior do you want to change, increase, or decrease?
  • Identify the triggers and consequences of the target behavior. What are the things that lead to the target behavior? What are the things that happen after the target behavior?
  • Develop a PBS plan. The PBS plan should include positive reinforcement strategies, proactive strategies, and response procedures.
  • Be consistent. It is important to be consistent with your expectations and consequences.
  • Work with your child. Involve your child in the development and implementation of the PBS plan.

Conclusion

PBS is a safe and effective approach to behavior change that can be used in a variety of settings. It is based on the principles of positive reinforcement and prevention. PBS can be used to address a wide range of behaviors, including challenging behaviors.