Best Outcomes: Person-centered and Self-directed

Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS)

Professional Tips

Please remember that the brief outline of the PBS process set out in this guide is in no way intended to provide training. If you or families you are working with are interested in receiving training or technical assistance so that you can build a PBS plan, please contact a trained professional. (See the resources list.)

In deciding if a child you are supporting is a good candidate for a PBS intervention, here a some guidelines:

1. PBS is a process that is very effective in reducing the frequency, intensity and/or duration of difficult behaviors which traditional behavior management techniques have not been successful in remediating. A child whose behaviors are not improving with traditional interventions may be a candidate for PBS.
2. The PBS process works with children who have what are referred to as challenging behaviors. Such behaviors are generally defined as self-injurious behaviors, behaviors that are dangerous to other people or behavior that results in the destruction of property. However a child who is extremely quiet or withdrawn may also be a good candidate if his or her behavior is persistent over time and does not improve with conventional interventions.
3. PBS is not a diagnosis-driven protocol. It grew out of the field of applied behavioral analysis and was originally used with individuals who experienced severe autism. However, PBS has been used successfully with individuals who experience traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, FASD and mental health diagnoses.
4. PBS is a process that is very family-respectful. The collaborative PBS team process is built on the premise that no one knows a child better than that child’s family. Generally speaking, a PBS plan is not built without the participation of at least one family member. But a family member does not need to be a birth parent. An adoptive parent, a grandparent, a foster parent, a member of the extended family can all fill that role.
5. PBS is a process that requires a large investment of time at the outset. In the long run, most teams feel that the outcome is well worth the effort. However, if you and a family you are working with are considering this approach, be sure that everyone is ready to make the commitment involved in creating a successful PBS plan. Generally speaking, the process involves three full days a month over a period of three months with additional time required for completing the FBA and implementing interventions.

If you and a family you are supporting decide to participate in a PBS training here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. One important key to a successful PBS plan is a team that collaborates respectfully: Be sure those family members who are a part of the team feel that their ideas are receiving the same consideration as those of professionals.
2. Parents really appreciate professionals who avoid jargon: When participating on a PBS team, try to ensure that the family does not have to decipher what the professionals are saying.
3. Family perspectives are critical to any intervention plan a team creates: Professionals participating on a PBS team need to take the time to listen respectfully to the stories of families.
4. One barrier to parent participation on a PBS team can be related to childcare concerns: Try to be proactive and arrange for respite care.
5. A concern for many families participating on a PBS team is confidentiality: Before any PBS training begins, be sure that a confidentiality policy is in place and that the family is comfortable with it.

Resources Available

If you are interested in learning more about Positive Behavioral Support, there are numerous web sites related to PBS. Here are a few to get you started:

• The Rehabilitation and Research Center on Positive Behavioral Support: www.rrtcpbs.org
• The Office of Special Education Programs: Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: www.pbis.org
• The Association for Positive Behavioral Support: www.apbs.org
• The Institute for Positive Behavioral Support at Stone Soup Group (An Alaskan-based organization): www.stonesoupgroup.org

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