Positive Behaviour Support in Adelaide: How NDIS Funding Can Help Transform Lives

Positive Behaviour Support in Adelaide is an extremely effective alternative approach for so many local families. The lives of family members living with disabilities might be enhanced through the concept of managing and reducing challenging behaviours. 

PBS is not just about responding to behaviours but about finding the root causes and building a broader landscape that is a more supportive, inclusive environment for everyone within the family to thrive.

For families in Adelaide and across Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) enables funding of PBS services to make positive changes happen that improve daily life and how people feel.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

Positive Behaviour Support is the evidence-based approach for understanding and addressing the reasons behind difficult behaviours. It helps people develop new skills with personalised strategies but reinforces positive actions.

For persons with development disabilities or autism spectrum disorders, or those with mental health conditions that can impact everyday life, PBS is especially convenient. 

Through PBS, families can establish routine, build positive behaviour, and provide support for loved ones to become more independent and self-confident.

Picture a young individual who becomes anxious when transitioning, like leaving the house. A PBS professional can help the family develop a structured routine using visual cues and calming techniques and decrease the stress of outings. 

Eventually, these strategies give the person the ability to handle life transitions with more hope and autonomy.

How to Access PBS Through the NDIS in Adelaide

This is all looking confusing at first, especially if you are figuring out what types of support there are available. Below are steps Adelaide families can take to access PBS services through the NDIS:

Check NDIS Eligibility

To be eligible, people must meet certain criteria around age, residency, and disability. Becoming aware that your loved one qualifies for aids and attendance and may be eligible for funding for supports, including PBS, is key!

Prepare for the Planning Meeting

If you are having a meeting with an NDIS planner, during that meeting you want to bring out the need for the PBS. Explain how your loved ones' behaviour challenges impact every day and share why PBS could benefit both your loved one and yourself.

Utilise a Support Coordinator

A support coordinator is invaluable for families by being able to guide the family through the NDIS system, finding PBS providers, and tracking progress. Having a coordinator process can make it much easier for families new to the NDIS to get through some of the extras if need be.

The Benefits of Positive Behaviour Support for Adelaide Families

Benefits of PBS include a wealth of benefits for both individuals receiving support and their families. Below are some of the positive outcomes that Adelaide families can expect:

Improved Family Routines

Putting together the data available about PBS strategies helps families to create more predictable, structured routines, which reduces stress and helps families create a more balanced home life. In this sense, a behaviour plan might be to introduce specific routines to mealtimes or bedtimes that, if followed, can result in easier and more enjoyable daily tasks for everybody.

Increased Independence

By developing new skills and adaptive behaviours, PBS can raise the level of participation for individuals in daily activities. What's covered through PBS—the building of abilities that promote autonomy and confidence—can be tasks such as self-care, communication, or social skills.

Strengthened Family Relationships

PBS works to build stronger family bonds by creating an environment to focus on positive interaction. 

Common Challenges in Accessing PBS and How to Overcome Them

PBS is absolutely vital, but accessing it through the NDIS can be difficult. Here are some common hurdles and ways families can overcome them:

Navigating the NDIS Process

The NDIS application and review process is complex for many families. Families have an option of working with a support coordinator or attending a NDIS workshop in Adelaide to get clear on PBS and then do what works for you and how you discuss/push for this inclusion.

Finding the Right Provider

Selecting a PBS provider that is in line with family values in choosing a PBS provider is difficult. Talking to several providers or asking for recommendations through local NDIS resources can enable families to find the best match of providers to fulfill their needs.

Addressing Stigma

There could be fears amongst a few families of stigma when seeking behaviour support. Knowing that PBS is all about empowerment and positive change can make it a lot easier to more confidently pursue this transformative support.

Next Steps to Positive Behaviour Support in Adelaide

The first step on the journey toward positive behaviour support is to talk to your family about your family’s needs—with an NDIS planner or support coordinator. 

If your loved one’s NDIS plan includes PBS, they are choosing a supportive, proactive approach for all involved. PBS is often the start of a long, arduous journey—one to find a more harmonious, more fulfilling home life—for many families.