Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) at AkindaCo

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a person-centred way of understanding why behaviours of concern are happening for someone with disability, and then changing the things around them so those behaviours become less needed. At AkindaCo, our PBS practitioners work with children, young people and adults and the people who support them, so the whole environment shifts, not just the individual. We see clients in our North Adelaide and Salisbury clinics in South Australia, in homes, and in schools. PBS at AkindaCo is delivered through your NDIS plan under Improved Relationships funding (Specialist Behaviour Support).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Positive Behaviour Support and how does it differ from behaviour management?

Positive Behaviour Support is an evidence-based approach used in the disability sector to reduce behaviours of concern by understanding what those behaviours are communicating. It is different from traditional behaviour management because the focus is not on stopping a behaviour through reward or punishment. The focus is on improving the person's quality of life so the behaviour is no longer needed. PBS sees behaviour as communication, and looks at the person's environment, relationships, sensory experience and skills together. AkindaCo's PBS practitioners build plans that families and support workers can actually use day to day.

Who is PBS at AkindaCo for?

PBS is for NDIS participants of any age whose behaviour is putting them, or others, at risk, or limiting their participation in everyday life. This often includes children and adults who are autistic, intellectually disabled, neurodivergent, or living with trauma. AkindaCo works with the participant directly, and with the people around them, including parents, carers, support workers and teachers. The work is shaped around the participant's goals, not a generic protocol.

Do I need a Behaviour Support plan to access PBS through the NDIS?

You need NDIS funding under Improved Relationships, which is the budget category that covers Specialist Behaviour Support. Once that funding is in place, an AkindaCo PBS practitioner can complete a behaviour assessment and write a Behaviour Support Plan with you. If restrictive practices are in place, an interim plan is usually written first, then a comprehensive plan follows. AkindaCo is a registered NDIS provider, registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and our PBS practitioners are also registered with the Commission.

How long does PBS take to make a difference?

PBS is not a quick fix. A typical PBS engagement runs across many months, because real change in behaviour usually requires real change in the environment, relationships and skills around the person. The first phase is assessment and getting to know the participant. The second is plan development. The third is implementation, training and review with families and support workers. Many participants stay engaged with PBS over a year or more, and you should see early changes well before the plan is finalised.

Where does PBS happen, in clinic or in the home?

PBS at AkindaCo is mostly delivered where the behaviour actually happens, which is usually at home, at school, or in the community. Our practitioners attend home visits and school meetings across the North Adelaide and Salisbury areas and the wider South Australian region. Some sessions, like family meetings or training, can also happen in our clinics or via telehealth. The approach is shaped around what is going to be most useful for the participant and their team.

Who delivers PBS at AkindaCo and what are their qualifications?

PBS at AkindaCo is led by Paula Gillespie, our Founder and Managing Director, who is a Specialist Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, an Art Psychotherapist, and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. The wider PBS team are practitioners registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and are working toward APBS endorsement, which is the international standard for the field. PBS at AkindaCo also draws on the expertise of our family therapists, art psychotherapists and developmental educators when needed.

Can PBS work alongside other therapies my child is already getting?

Yes, and it often works best that way. Behaviour rarely sits in isolation. Children and adults who benefit from PBS often also benefit from speech, OT, family therapy or art therapy. AkindaCo's PBS practitioners are used to working as part of a wider team, and we can coordinate with your existing providers. Where appropriate, we also bring in our own internal team members so the plan is consistent across all the people supporting the participant.

How do I get started with Positive Behaviour Support at AkindaCo?

Contact AkindaCo with your NDIS plan details. We will check that you have funding under Improved Relationships (Specialist Behaviour Support) and book an initial intake. From there, our PBS practitioner will arrange to meet the participant in their home, school or in our North Adelaide or Salisbury clinic, depending on what works best. We will explain the assessment process clearly, set goals together with you, and only move ahead once everyone is on the same page.