5 Steps to finding the right Positive Behavior Support Practitioner

Let’s get this process started! So you’ve got an NDIS budget for positive behavior support for you or your child, and now you just need to figure out how to find the right Positive Behavior Support Practitioner. We can help with that! 

Here are 5 steps to finding the right PBSP (positive behavior support practitioner) for you. And once you’ve finished reading this, head over to our post on ‘3 red flags to avoid when looking for a positive behavior support practitioner’ to complement these tips with what to avoid. 

What is a PBSP?

PBSP stands for Positive Behavior Support Practitioner. Under the NDIS, a PBSP is a behavior support practitioner who works with a person, their family and their supporters to understand why behaviors of concern happen and what needs they are communicating. They then write a behavior support plan with practical strategies, such as changes to the environment, routines and communication supports, that aim to improve quality of life and reduce the use of restrictive practices. A good PBSP works with you, not on your child.

 

Step 1: Identify your needs

While we already know we need a PBSP, it can help to take a moment to write down what your specific needs are. Now I don’t necessarily mean diving into the behaviors of concern yet, but more what you need from THEM as an individual. Because yes, it is perfectly okay to know exactly what you want before you begin such a personal journey. 

A few starting points to think about are:

• Do you need an in-person PBSP who can do some face-to-face home visits? Or could an online PBSP work for you? (where you still get to see their face, but you get to cut back on paying travel costs to each session)
• If you’re going with an in-person service, do you have a preference of a male or female practitioner? As they will be entering your home.
• Is there any input from the child/participant themselves (if the PBSP is not for you) that needs to be considered while searching? Like sensory considerations. 
• PBSPs come from all different professional and personal backgrounds; do you need someone with experience in a specific area like adolescence, Autism, using alternative communication, or working with specific behaviors?

Step 2: Do your research

There is a fast-growing list of companies and PBSPs out there. But you really want to make sure that you end up with the perfect match for you. So start by doing some research on the companies that fit your needs i.e. in-person or online availability. 

While checking out companies, have a good scroll through their websites and even business social media. The aim is to get a good ‘feel’ for the company and what they represent. Remember, this is a time where you can also look out for the red flags we mentioned in ‘3 red flags to avoid when looking for a positive behavior support practitioner’.

If you have other professional services involved, consider asking them for suggestions. Often support coordinators, psychologists, OTs, or case managers will have had experience with PBS providers.

Lastly, you will need to confirm that your chosen PBS provider is registered with the NDIS. Engaging an unregistered PBS provider for NDIS services can leave you responsible for the cost of the service, as they may not be able to bill against your NDIS plan. Protect your finances by working with registered providers who can offer the support you need. You can check a practitioner’s suitability here.

Step 3: Have a list of questions you want to ask your Positive Behavior Support Practitioner

We’re getting closer! So by now you may have shortlisted a few companies or practitioners and you’re getting ready to contact them. Well like step 1, let’s create a list. 

This list could contain questions that you have for the practitioner (either about the PBS process or about them), things that are important to you, or what you would really want incorporated into this big experience. 

Some examples may be: 

1. If you or your child have several diagnoses, you might decide to ask if they have experience with all of them.
2. If you had identified earlier that there are considerations the practitioner would need to help with, write them down. These might be sensory preferences (for example, strong perfumes are overwhelming, or loud voices and laughing are startling) or language choices, for instance if the practitioner needs to be considerate of the participant’s auditory processing speed. 
3. Asking about their availability on the specific days/times that work for you
4. You may want to ask what their experience is; they may be new to delivering PBS but have great experience in other ways!
5. Are there any cultural or religious considerations that are important to you? Sometimes it helps to have a PBSP that understands your background.

Step 4 : Have a meet and greet with the company or the practitioner

You may have already lined up a meeting with the practitioner while you wrote your list, if not, now is the time to book it in. You’re in a great position and ready to go with your questions. The meet and greet can look different for each company, but it will usually be a face-to-face session, either in-person or via an online meeting. During the meeting, don’t hesitate to write down information they provide you with, so that you can look back on it later!

Step 5 : Making the decision

Hopefully at this point, you found a practitioner that felt like they really fit with your household needs. If so, let the practitioner know you would like to proceed and ask them what they would need from you to get started. 

But if this is not the case, it’s okay to go ‘back to the drawing board’! Maybe start by identifying why the practitioner/s didn’t feel right. Then you’re a step ahead for the next round of research as you’ll know what to look out for. 

I hope this has been helpful!

For more information on the next step, have a read of our post on ‘what a great positive behavior support plan should look like in the NDIS’ here.

Can we help? 

And if you think an Autism 360 positive behavior support practitioner is the right fit for you/your child, or for more information about Autism 360 and the 2 service models we offer (parent coaching vs positive behavior support plans) book a call with us here to discuss the start of your journey.