Behaviour Support

Behaviour is one way children communicate needs, emotions, preferences and responses to their environment. When behaviour becomes difficult for a child or family to manage, understanding what is happening can be more useful than simply trying to stop the behaviour.

Child behaviour support aims to identify contributing factors, build useful skills and make everyday environments easier for the child to navigate.

Depending on the provider and child's needs, support may involve:

Approaches should be respectful, child-centred and focused on meaningful participation and safety.

Families may seek help when a child:

The goal is not to blame the child or family. The aim is to understand the situation and identify practical supports.

A provider may begin by talking with parents or carers and understanding when the behaviour happens, what happens before and after it, and what the child may be communicating.

Support may then involve:

The exact process depends on the provider and the child's circumstances.

Positive behaviour support generally focuses on understanding why behaviour occurs and teaching skills that help a person participate safely and meaningfully.

Families should ask providers what approach they use, how they involve the child and family, and how strategies are adapted to the child's communication, development and environment.

Current government information describes Thriving Kids as child and family-centred, strengths-focused and neuro-affirming. The program also includes family capacity-building supports and targeted supports for children who need additional help. Victorian Government

The exact behaviour support options available through a local Thriving Kids pathway may vary, so families should check their current state or territory information.

A referral is more useful when it describes:

A strong online listing should explain:

Families can speak with a GP, child health nurse, educator or relevant allied health professional when they are unsure where to begin.

ThrivingKidsVIC.au can help families and referrers discover relevant providers, but individual providers are responsible for their own professional assessment and advice.

Behaviour support can sit alongside psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology and family support. Victorian school support services already include psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists and behaviour analysts, showing that behaviour-related support can involve different professional roles depending on the setting.

For families, the important question is what the provider is qualified and experienced to support and whether the approach is appropriate for the child's age, communication, development and environment.

Describe the behaviour in context, including what happens before and after it, communication abilities, environmental factors, strengths and the effect on participation or safety.

State clearly whether you provide positive behaviour support, behaviour assessment, parent coaching, school consultation or another service. Do not imply that a private provider is automatically a Thriving Kids-funded provider.