Understanding Behaviours of Concern and Positive Support Strategies for Families
Supporting someone who displays behaviours of concern under the NDIS can be challenging for families. These actions happen when a person has trouble communicating physical, emotional, or sensory needs. Structured routines and clear adjustments at home help families create a safer, calmer space.
Key Takeaways
Behaviours of concern are ongoing actions caused by unmet physical, sensory, or communication needs.
Spotting early warning signs helps carers step in before a situation escalates.
Daily visual routines and sensory adjustments reduce stress at home.
NDIS funding can help fund behaviour practitioners and practical family plans where included in a plan.
What Defines Behaviours of Concern NDIS Families Experience
Behaviours of concern are ongoing patterns of behaviour that put the safety of the person or those around them at risk. These actions happen frequently and disrupt daily activities at home, school, and work.
Common examples include:
Hitting, kicking, or biting.
Self-harm, such as head-banging or scratching skin.
Smashing items or kicking walls.
Running out of the house or into traffic unexpectedly.
Typical boundary-testing differs from a behaviour of concern. Routine boundary-testing is brief, mild, and stops with normal guidance. A true behaviour of concern happens when someone experiences severe emotional distress during a meltdown. These situations benefit from systematic, assessment-based care rather than standard discipline.
Why Difficult Actions Happen in Daily Routines
Behaviour is a practical form of communication. When a person cannot easily speak or write their thoughts, their actions show how they feel.
Physical and Communication Needs
People often show distress when they cannot report physical pain. Ear infections, tooth decay, constipation, or poor sleep can quickly lower a person's patience. When someone cannot say their ear hurts, they may scream or strike out.
Other actions stem from day-to-day frustration. A person might want direct attention, feel confused by a complex task, or try to avoid an uncomfortable chore like packing away toys. Recognising what someone is trying to express helps families respond constructively. Research documented by the Association for Positive Behavior Support indicates that teaching direct communication alternatives lowers distressed behaviour across home and community environments.
Sensory Processing and Environment Triggers
Sensory processing differences play a direct role in emotional distress. Autistic people and individuals with developmental conditions can feel overwhelmed by ordinary surroundings. Common triggers include:
Flickering overhead lighting.
Sudden noises from vacuum cleaners, barking dogs, or power tools.
Scratchy clothing tags or tight shoes.
Unplanned changes to a daily routine.
Noticing these factors allows families to make direct changes that stop distress before it starts.
How to Spot Early Warning Signs at Home
Before an individual loses control, their body language and habits change. These changes are known as precursor behaviours. Catching them early gives carers time to step in.
The Three Stages of Behavioural Response
Stage 1: Baseline
The person is calm and relaxed. Their breathing is slow, and they communicate comfortably. Use this time to follow daily visual schedules and praise positive choices.Stage 2: Triggered
The person shows initial signs of distress. They might pace, repeat the same question, cover their ears, or make low grunting sounds. Step in now by lowering household noise, validating their frustration, and suggesting a short rest.Stage 3: Crisis
The person experiences a full meltdown or becomes physically aggressive. Focus strictly on physical safety, step back to give them space, speak in short quiet sentences, and remove dangerous objects.
Practical Positive Strategies for Everyday Family Life
Positive behaviour support focuses on teaching practical skills and setting up environments that prevent stress. Punishing challenging behaviour often increases fear, whereas teaching alternative actions builds confidence and independence.
1. Establish Visual Schedules
Predictability helps reduce anxiety. Use picture cards, checklists, or written whiteboards to show the day's order. A simple routine pairs a necessary task with a preferred activity, such as tidying a bedroom first and listening to music afterwards.
2. Teach Functional Replacement Skills
Teach an individual a reliable way to replace an unsafe behaviour. If a person throws items when tired, teach them to hand you a printed "break" card or use a specific hand gesture. Giving them a practical way to say "stop" helps reduce the need for physical outbursts.
3. Adjust the Home Environment
Small changes around the house reduce sensory load and daily friction:
Set up a quiet space with floor cushions, a weighted blanket, and low lighting.
Reduce background television noise and harsh fluorescent lights.
Keep bedrooms quiet, dark, and cool to promote regular sleep.
Curamus provides In-Home Support for families in Gippsland, Cardinia, and Pakenham who need assistance setting up these routines. Support workers help carry out daily plans so households stay steady and safe.
Positive Behaviour Support Frameworks and Professional Care
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an evidence-based approach that improves quality of life while reducing distressed actions. It focuses on the person's specific strengths and the reasons behind their actions.
Functional Behaviour Assessments
A qualified behaviour support practitioner starts by completing a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA). The practitioner collects family logs, observes the individual in their home routine, and reviews medical notes to determine the direct causes of difficult behaviours.
The practitioner then writes a detailed behaviour support plan. This plan includes proactive steps to adjust the home environment, methods to teach new skills, and clear safety steps for crisis moments. The plan also focuses on removing restrictive practices so the person keeps their dignity. You can review national rules and standards directly on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website.
Working with Service Providers
Working with experienced disability providers helps families apply support plans consistently across different settings. Support teams guide parents and carers on practical de-escalation methods and daily communication aids.
For participants seeking independent living, housing support is available. Curamus provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) services, including our dedicated home in Balook. These homes offer 24-hour assistance based on each resident's individual plan.
Funding and Next Steps for Your Family
The NDIS includes specific funding lines to help cover behavioural services under Capacity Building:
Improved Daily Living: Supports functional therapy and daily skill development.
Improved Relationships: Funds registered behaviour support practitioners to conduct FBAs, write support plans, and train family carers.
Review your current funding allocations on the NDIS Official Website or discuss options with your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator. For independent advice and resources for family carers, visit Carers Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What causes sudden behaviours of concern in a home setting?
Sudden changes in behaviour often point to physical discomfort, such as an earache, tooth pain, or stomach illness. Sudden changes in routine, loud noises, or poor sleep can also trigger distress.
How does positive behaviour support help reduce challenging actions?
Positive Behaviour Support identifies why a behaviour happens and teaches the person practical replacement skills. It alters the surroundings to reduce triggers and rewards constructive choices.
Can NDIS funding cover behaviour support practitioners?
Yes. Where the Capacity Building: Improved Relationships category is included in an approved NDIS plan, it can fund registered behaviour practitioners to conduct assessments, author plans, and train family members.
Need Guidance with Your NDIS Support Plan?
Our team provides structured, individualised support for participants and families across Gippsland, Cardinia, and Melbourne.