At AHA Therapies, we provide positive behaviour support and behaviour therapy to help individuals develop skills, improve their quality of life and participate more meaningfully in everyday activities.
Our team of Behaviour Support Practitioners and Behaviour Therapists works collaboratively with individuals, families, carers and relevant professionals to understand behaviours of concern, identify individual needs and develop practical strategies that support positive change.
We recognise that behaviour is influenced by a person’s communication, environment, experiences, relationships and individual needs. Our approach focuses on understanding the person, identifying what may be contributing to behaviours of concern and developing respectful, evidence-informed strategies that promote safety, independence and participation.
Through individualised assessment, behaviour support planning, practical intervention and ongoing collaboration, we work towards outcomes that are meaningful to each person.
The process begins with understanding the person, their strengths, preferences, communication needs, environment and daily experiences. This information helps guide the development of appropriate supports that address contributing factors and promote improved quality of life.
Our practitioners gather relevant information through discussions with the individual and, where appropriate, their family, carers, support workers and other professionals. This may involve reviewing existing assessments and reports, examining behavioural history and observing the individual in relevant environments.
The assessment process helps identify patterns, contributing factors, support needs and areas where changes may improve the person’s safety, wellbeing and participation.
Our practitioners may examine what happens before, during and after a behaviour, alongside relevant communication, environmental, social and personal factors. Information may be gathered through interviews, direct observations, existing records and behavioural data.
The findings help develop an informed understanding of why a behaviour may be occurring and identify opportunities to teach alternative skills, modify environmental conditions and address the person’s underlying needs.
Depending on the individual’s needs, the plan may include:
- Proactive strategies to reduce the likelihood of behaviours of concern.
- Environmental adjustments that support safety, engagement and participation.
- Communication strategies and alternative skills that help the person express their needs.
- Skill-development approaches that promote emotional regulation, coping and independence.
- Guidance for responding to behaviours of concern safely and respectfully.
- Practical recommendations for families, carers and support teams.
- Strategies to reduce and, where applicable, eliminate the use of restrictive practices.
Our practitioners work collaboratively with Behaviour Therapists, families, carers, support workers and other relevant professionals to explain recommended strategies, provide guidance and address implementation challenges.
This helps ensure that support remains consistent with the individual’s plan and that relevant feedback can inform ongoing decision-making.
Where required, assessments and Behaviour Support Plans may be reviewed and updated to reflect emerging needs, evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and identify opportunities for further skill development.
Our goal is to support meaningful improvements in quality of life, participation, independence and the person’s ability to have their needs understood and met.
Behaviour therapy focuses on translating individualised strategies into meaningful learning opportunities and everyday experiences. Intervention is tailored to the person’s abilities, goals, interests and support needs.
This may involve supporting proactive strategies, encouraging engagement in meaningful activities, using appropriate communication supports and helping the individual practise skills that can reduce the likelihood of behaviours of concern.
Behaviour Therapists support the development of appropriate alternative skills that help individuals communicate, make choices, request assistance, express discomfort and participate in daily activities.
Strategies are tailored to the person’s communication abilities, preferences and learning needs.
Intervention may involve structured activities, visual supports, modelling, prompting and opportunities to practise skills in everyday contexts.
This may include following routines, engaging in activities, developing social skills, tolerating changes in routines and increasing independence with everyday tasks.
This information can help identify progress, highlight barriers to implementation and inform discussions with the Behaviour Support Practitioner about whether strategies require further guidance or review.
The focus is on helping individuals develop skills that are meaningful, practical and transferable to everyday life.
Our Behaviour Support Practitioners and Behaviour Therapists work together to connect assessment findings, behaviour support planning and practical intervention. This allows information from everyday implementation to contribute to a clearer understanding of the person’s needs and progress.
Feedback and relevant observations from intervention can help the Behaviour Support Practitioner evaluate progress, identify barriers and determine whether further assessment, guidance or plan review is appropriate.
We work collaboratively with relevant people to promote understanding of the strategies, support consistent implementation and identify practical ways to incorporate learning opportunities into everyday life.
This may include sharing relevant information, contributing to agreed goals and coordinating approaches across different settings, while respecting privacy, professional boundaries and each practitioner’s scope of practice.
A coordinated approach can help reduce conflicting strategies, strengthen continuity of support and ensure the individual’s needs remain central to decision-making.
We encourage collaboration between relevant stakeholders so that agreed strategies can be applied appropriately across settings and adjusted to suit the individual’s circumstances.
We recognise that progress looks different for each person. By combining assessment, practical intervention, feedback and ongoing review, our team works towards support that remains responsive to the individual’s needs and goals.
We work with individuals with a range of disabilities and support needs, where our services are appropriate to their circumstances. Support is tailored to the individual rather than determined by diagnosis alone.
We also recognise the important role of families, carers and support teams. Our approach includes collaboration and practical guidance to help the people around an individual better understand their needs and support their progress.
- A Collaborative Team: Our Behaviour Support Practitioners and Behaviour Therapists work together to connect assessment, planning and practical intervention.
- Individualised Support: Strategies are developed around each person’s strengths, needs, preferences, environment and goals.
- Evidence-Informed Practice: We use relevant assessment information, behavioural data and established positive behaviour support principles to guide our approach.
- Respect, Dignity and Choice: We prioritise the individual’s rights, preferences, participation and quality of life.
- Family and Stakeholder Collaboration: We value the knowledge and involvement of families, carers and other relevant professionals.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Review: We consider feedback and progress to help ensure strategies remain appropriate and responsive to changing needs.
Contact AHA Therapies to discuss our positive behaviour support and behaviour therapy services and explore the available support options for yourself or someone you care about.
