Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is one of the most commonly funded NDIS Capacity Building supports, and one of the most misunderstood. This guide explains what PBS is, how assessment works, how it is funded in an NDIS plan, and when it is the right referral. Whether you are a support coordinator, family member, or participant, you will find a plain-language overview here.

There is a specific feeling every Support Coordinator knows. You receive a comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan. It is 40 pages long. It looks professional. You look at the bill: a huge chunk of the “Improved Relationships” budget is gone. Then you read the strategies. For a participant with a severe intellectual disability who is non-speaking, the plan suggests: “Ask them to take three deep breaths” or “Remind them to make ‘good choices’.” You have just witnessed “Generic B

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 In support settings, phrases like “needs prompting” are used daily. It sounds efficient. It ticks a box. But in practice, this shorthand often lacks the clarity needed to deliver consistent, person-centred support. Does “prompting” mean a gentle reminder? Does it mean guiding their hand? Does it mean asking them what comes next? Without clarity, three

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 Imagine a support worker walks into a home. They see a pile of laundry. They want to be helpful, so they wash, dry, and fold it while the participant watches TV. That looks like good care. The house is clean. The job is done. But in reality, that worker just stole a learning opportunity. This is the core problem Person-Centred Active Support (PCAS) so

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 The request seems simple enough. Put on your shoes. Reply to that email. Brush your teeth. Eat breakfast. But for some autistic individuals, these everyday expectations trigger something that feels closer to panic than inconvenience. The nervous system registers "put on your shoes" the same way it might register genuine danger. What follows is not a c

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 When someone expresses themselves through words, we listen. But what happens when words are unavailable or insufficient? In many cases, behaviour becomes the language through which individuals communicate their needs, emotions, and experiences. Recognising behaviour as communication is essential in providing compassionate, person-centred support, espe

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) is a structured and evidence-based process used to understand why a person engages in challenging behaviour. Rather than simply addressing the behaviour itself, an FBA aims to uncover the underlying reasons for it, offering insight into how best to support the individual in achieving their needs in more positive

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an evidence-based, person-centred approach supported by the NDIS that helps individuals reduce behaviours of concern while enhancing their quality of life. At its core, PBS isn't about controlling behaviour, it's about understanding it. Rather than focusing on the surface-level behaviour, PBS digs deeper to uncover

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 Restrictive practices are a deeply sensitive and highly regulated area of disability support. They involve interventions that intentionally limit the rights or freedom of movement of a person. Their use is a serious matter under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). While restrictive practices may sometimes be necessary to prevent immediate