PBS at Home

Learn about positive behavior support, focusing on its principles and process. You can learn about these principles through this Michigan Alliance for Families: Introduction to Positive Behavior Support webinar.

Determine what goals you would like to achieve through positive behavior support:

• Improve your child’s behavior by increasing desirable behavior and/or decreasing undesirable behavior;
• Make important daily routines within your home or community more successful;
• Support your entire family by using positive behavior support principles; or
• Work in partnership with professionals to improve the use of positive behavior support in schools or community settings.

Find out if you are already using positive behavior support principles with these simple tools:

• Got Positive Behavior Support?
• Positive Behavior Support Setting Checklist

Consider who is already part of your “support team” (e.g., family members, friends, teachers, employers, personal care assistants, respite workers, other professional service providers). Do they already understand and embrace positive behavior support principles, and willing to help? Share information on positive behavior support with others who may be involved in supporting your efforts. If needed, seek out additional professional support from one or more of the following, making sure their approach aligns with positive behavior support principles:

• Teachers and other educational personnel (e.g., counselors, behavior specialists, family liaisons, school psychologists, district staff). If interested in getting involved with positive behavior at school, see Getting Started with PBIS in Schools for Family Members or visit Center on PBIS-Family.
• Service providers (e.g., behavior analysts, therapists, psychologists, physicians, social workers, mental health counselors, physicians, supported employment or living program staff, early intervention providers). Some states have credentialing programs for positive behavior support professionals and behavior analysts often embrace the principles in their service delivery as well. If you are interested in getting involved with positive behavior in the community, see Getting Started with Positive Behavior Support in the Community or consider joining the Home and Community Network.

If funding is needed, you may seek it through insurance coverage (i.e., Medicaid and waiver programs) and other community or government-funded programs. If not, these services may be available through self-pay. Consider joining a support group, either in person or via social networking. The Home and Community Network has a great list of online support groups that offer opportunities for families to network and share resources and successful strategies used at home or in the community. Tip: Create a new email address, as some of these online groups are very active and will flood your email account.

Think about your family values, goals, and expectations for behavior – working with other family members to determine what behaviors are – and are not — acceptable. Think about what defines quality of life for your family. If chores or other tasks are required in your household, ensure everyone knows their responsibilities. Let children know when expectations change. (Resource: PSN – Expectations)

Try to understand what patterns may affect your child or family member’s behavior. Pay attention to what happens before and afterward – what circumstances or reactions contribute to successes and difficulties. Seek help in conducting a functional behavioral assessment if needed.

Arrange your environment to promote positive behavior (e.g., by having a list of house rules or everything a child needs to complete chores handy) and remove distractions or other problematic items (e.g., electronics during homework, dangerous items). (Resource: PSN – Household Organization)

Encourage your children to use words or other appropriate forms to communicate (e.g., writing, pictures, gestures, iPad) to let you know what they need rather than responding to problem behavior. Learn more about functional communication training (also referred to as “alternative communication training”) and social and life skills instruction.

Acknowledge your children for desirable behavior (i.e., meeting expectations) with praise, special activities or treats, privileges, and time off or reduced demands. Follow activities your children do not like with those they do. (Resource: PSN – Reinforcement)

Learn about mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioral strategies that may help reduce stress, be more present, and keep you focused on your intentions as you put these changes in place (e.g., see PracticedMind app in Apple App Store).

Track improvements in behavior quality of life changes and celebrate positive changes. Change is hard, and you deserve reinforcement too. PSN – Monitoring

Pick one routine you find particularly important and/or challenging and start using these principles in just that routine, expanding when successful (Family Routine Guide). Use these articles from Parenting Special Needs magazine to get started.

• PSN — Bedtime
• PSN — Outings
• PSN — Meals
• PSN — Chores
• PSN — Morning
• PSN — Leisure

Access additional resources to guide you through the positive behavior support process. Videos to support families to teach skills and handle challenges during routines at home.

• Practiced routines online video series

Supporting your child’s behavior on your own:

• Ten Positive Behavior Support Strategies to Support Families at Home
• Facilitator’s Guide on Positive Behavior Support
• Positive Solutions Parent Training Modules (CSEFEL)
• Center for Parent Information and Resources