When a participant experiences behaviours of concern, families and carers often feel unsure about what steps to take next. Many people worry about being judged, blamed, or overwhelmed by complicated processes.
A positive behaviour support assessment is designed to do the opposite.
The assessment process focuses on understanding the participant’s needs, communication, environment, and daily experiences in a respectful and person-centred way. Rather than focusing only on behaviours, Positive Behaviour Support looks at the whole person and the factors affecting their wellbeing.
For NDIS participants, families, and support coordinators, understanding how a PBS assessment works helps reduce uncertainty and makes the process feel more approachable.
What Is a Positive Behaviour Support Assessment?
A positive behaviour support assessment gathers information to better understand behaviours of concern and identify strategies that improve quality of life.
The assessment helps behaviour support practitioners understand:
• Why behaviours happen
• What triggers stress or distress
• How communication impacts behaviour
• Environmental or sensory influences
• Daily routines and relationships
• Support needs across different settings
This process forms the foundation for a behaviour support plan tailored to the participant’s goals and needs.
Under the NDIS, PBS assessments are commonly used to support participants who experience behaviours that affect safety, participation, emotional wellbeing, or daily functioning.
What Are Behaviours of Concern?
Behaviours of concern are behaviours that place the person or others at risk, reduce quality of life, or make participation in daily activities more difficult.
Examples include:
• Aggression
• Self-injury
• Property damage
• Verbal outbursts
• Absconding or running away
• Social withdrawal
• Unsafe repetitive behaviours
These behaviours often communicate unmet needs, distress, frustration, communication difficulties, trauma responses, or sensory challenges.
A behaviour support assessment focuses on understanding these underlying factors without judgement.
Who Conducts a PBS Assessment?
A PBS assessment is usually completed by a qualified behaviour support practitioner.
The practitioner may work alongside:
• Families and carers
• Support coordinators
• Support workers
• Teachers and educators
• Psychologists
• Occupational therapists
• Speech pathologists
• Other allied health professionals
This collaborative approach helps create a clearer understanding of the participant’s needs across different environments.
What Happens During a PBS Assessment?
Every participant is different, so each assessment varies depending on individual circumstances, goals, and support needs.
Most assessments include several key stages.
Initial Conversations and Information Gathering
The first stage often involves conversations with the participant and their support network.
The practitioner may ask about:
• Daily routines
• Behaviour patterns
• Triggers and stressful situations
• Communication styles
• Medical or mental health history
• Sensory preferences
• Relationships and environments
• Current supports and strategies
Families sometimes worry about saying the wrong thing during these discussions. In reality, honest and practical information helps practitioners provide more appropriate support.
The goal is understanding, not judgement.
Observations Across Different Environments
In some cases, the practitioner observes the participant in environments such as:
• Home
• School
• Community settings
• Supported accommodation
• Day programs
These observations help identify patterns linked to:
• Noise levels
• Transitions
• Social demands
• Communication challenges
• Changes in routine
• Sensory triggers
For example, a participant may become distressed during crowded community outings or struggle during transitions between activities.
Recognising these patterns helps guide support strategies.
Functional Behaviour Assessment
A functional behaviour assessment is an important part of many PBS assessments.
This process explores the purpose or function behind behaviours.
The practitioner looks at:
• What happens before the behaviour
• The behaviour itself
• What happens afterwards
• Patterns across environments
• Possible communication needs
This information helps identify why the behaviour occurs.
For example:
• A participant may use verbal aggression when overwhelmed by sensory input
• A child may avoid tasks when communication feels difficult
• An adult participant may engage in repetitive behaviours during periods of anxiety
Understanding these functions helps practitioners recommend safer and more supportive alternatives.
Reviewing Existing Supports
The assessment also reviews what strategies already exist.
This may include:
• Current behaviour support plans
• School supports
• Communication tools
• Therapy reports
• Incident reports
• Restrictive practice documentation
Reviewing existing supports helps identify what works well and where changes may help.
Identifying Participant Goals
Positive Behaviour Support should align with the participant’s personal goals and quality of life outcomes.
Goals may include:
• Increasing independence
• Improving communication
• Participating in community activities
• Building social connections
• Reducing distress during routines
• Supporting safer environments
• Improving emotional regulation
Person-centred care remains central throughout the assessment process.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, the practitioner develops recommendations and prepares a behaviour support plan if required.
The plan usually includes:
• Preventative strategies
• Environmental adjustments
• Communication supports
• Skill-building approaches
• Emotional regulation tools
• Guidance for support teams
• Safety planning if needed
The strategies should remain practical, respectful, and realistic for daily use.
How Long Does a PBS Assessment Take?
Assessment timeframes vary depending on:
• The participant’s support needs
• Complexity of behaviours
• Availability of information
• Number of support environments involved
• Collaboration with families and providers
Some assessments occur over several sessions to allow practitioners to gather enough information thoughtfully and respectfully.
Why Early Assessment Matters
Families often seek support after behaviours have escalated significantly.
Early assessment and intervention help identify contributing factors sooner and provide participants with more opportunities to build supportive routines and coping strategies.
Early support may help:
• Reduce stress within families
• Improve communication
• Increase consistency across support teams
• Reduce the likelihood of restrictive practices
• Improve participation in daily activities
Understanding Restrictive Practices
Restrictive practices are interventions that limit a participant’s movement or rights.
Examples include:
• Physical restraint
• Seclusion
• Restricting access to items
• Chemical restraint
Under the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, restrictive practices must follow strict legal and ethical requirements.
PBS assessments help identify proactive strategies that reduce the need for restrictive practices wherever possible.
Common Questions About PBS Assessments
Is a PBS assessment only for children?
No. Positive Behaviour Support assessments support children, adolescents, and adults.
Does the NDIS fund behaviour support assessments?
Many NDIS participants access PBS assessments through Capacity Building supports.
Will families be blamed during the assessment?
No. PBS uses a collaborative and respectful approach focused on understanding needs and improving support.
Are assessments available through telehealth?
Some providers offer telehealth assessment components for regional and remote participants where appropriate.
What if the participant struggles with communication?
PBS practitioners adapt communication approaches to suit the participant’s needs and preferences.
Myth vs Fact About Behaviour Support Assessments
Myth: The assessment focuses only on negative behaviours
Fact: PBS assessments focus on strengths, wellbeing, communication, and quality of life.
Myth: Behaviour support plans punish participants
Fact: Positive Behaviour Support uses respectful and evidence-based strategies that aim to reduce distress and improve daily experiences.
Myth: PBS assessments are only used during crisis situations
Fact: Early assessment often helps prevent behaviours from escalating further.
How Arise Allied Health Supports PBS Assessments
Arise Allied Health provides person-centred and evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support services for NDIS participants across Australia.
PBS assessments focus on understanding the participant’s individual needs, goals, and daily experiences while supporting families and care teams through practical and compassionate guidance.
Participants and support networks may also access:
• Psychology services
• Behaviour support services
• Functional assessments
• Therapeutic supports
• Telehealth services
• NDIS allied health support
This collaborative approach helps create more consistent support across home, school, and community settings.
Final Thoughts
A positive behaviour support assessment helps participants, families, and support teams better understand behaviours and identify practical ways to improve daily life.
The process should feel respectful, supportive, and centred around the participant’s strengths and goals.
For families and carers, seeking support early often helps reduce stress and build more sustainable support strategies over time.
Arise Allied Health works alongside participants and support networks to provide compassionate and evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support tailored to individual needs and circumstances.