Autism Spectrum Disorder:

We employ positive behaviour strategies in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to help them reach their full potential. Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) is an empirically validated and function-based approach aimed at eliminating challenging behaviours and replacing them with prosocial skills. In short, these strategies focus on developing an environment at home and school that meets the child’s needs, while also generating plans that improve the child’s independence and ability to maintain appropriate behaviour through consequences (ideally, more positive than negative). A critical part of creating PBS plans is the Functional Behavioural Assessment, which reveals information about the antecedents, consequences, and frequency of challenging behaviour. PBS plans are individualized and data-based and include procedures for monitoring, evaluating and reassessing the process. This is usually offered in the office, but a premium service directly in the home or school is also available in certain situations.

Previously, it was thought that working with children directly to help them behave better would be the most successful strategy. Unfortunately, we’ve found most children have already been talked to about their behaviour, and that approach on its own does not usually work. One researcher describes it as working in the office, but fails as soon as the child hits the parking lot. Our approach follows the evidence-based approach of working with parents to learn new strategies to effectively parent children who present with a special set of needs.