Positive Behaviour Support
Helping You Understand Your Why.
When behaviour becomes a barrier to everyday life, it is usually a sign that something deeper needs attention. Positive Behaviour Support looks beyond the behaviour itself to understand what is driving it, then builds practical strategies that work for the person and the people around them.
Our practitioners work with individuals and their families to create unique behaviour support plans, build independent capacity and reduce restrictive practices in the home, at schools, and in community settings.
We are currently accepting new NDIS, Medicare, and private funding referrals for Positive Behaviour Support across our service areas in Sydney, regional NSW, Hobart and Launceston.
Patients & Families
For referrers and Support Coordinators
How can I fund Positive Behaviour Support?
- NDIS (Capacity Building, Behaviour Support) – the primary funding pathway for Positive Behaviour Support, including Functional Behaviour
Assessments, Positive Behaviour Support plans, and ongoing implementation support - NDIS (Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living) – may fund the initial assessment of behavioural circumstances to inform a recommendation
report - Self-funded – available for families who are not NDIS-eligible but need support. Contact us to discuss options.Positive Behaviour Support is primarily an NDIS-funded service. It is not typically covered by Medicare or DVA.
WHAT DO BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PRACTITIONERS HELP WITH?
1.
BEHAVIOURS OF CONCERN
When someone is hurting themselves, others, or property, the first priority is safety. We look beyond the behaviour to understand what is driving it, then build proactive strategies that reduce incidents and give everyone a clearer plan for difficult moments.
2.
FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIOUR ASSESSMENTS (FBA)
Before writing a plan, we need to understand the full picture. We observe routines, triggers, communication, and environment. The FBA maps out when, where, and why behaviours happen so every strategy is grounded in evidence, not guesswork.
3.
RESTRICTIVE PRACTICE REDUCTION
Reducing or eliminating restrictive practices is a core part of our work. If physical or environmental restraints are currently in use, we build alternative strategies to replace them and create a documented pathway to the least restrictive approach possible.
4.
SKILL BUILDING AND DAILY ROUTINES
Practical, everyday skills like calming down, communicating needs, planning transitions, and managing mealtimes and morning routines make a measurable difference to independence. We coach in real settings so skills stick outside the clinic.
6.
COMPLEX AND CO-OCCURRING PRESENTATIONS
Autism with anxiety. Intellectual disability with trauma history. Brain injury with impulse control difficulties. We work with people who have more than one thing going on, coordinating with our Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist teams when communication or sensory needs are part of the picture.
5.
FAMILY AND CARER TRAINING
You spend far more time with the person than we do. We coach parents, carers, support workers, and teachers on consistent responses, de-escalation, and how to reinforce positive strategies so the plan works across every part of the day and how to recognise and avoid restrictive practises at home, school or in the community.
What do Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners Help With?
At Optimum, our experienced Behaviour Support Practitioners are available to all who use unhealthy or challenging behaviours to cope with hardships they may be experiencing in their day to day.
We work alongside families, carers, support workers and schools to navigate everyday stress and build capacity, at home, in class, and in the community.
Emotional regulation
Challenging behaviours
Social interaction skills
Routine building
School support strategies
Family coaching
Crisis management
Independence skills
Your Rehab Roadmap
Get in touch
Book online on our Booking Directory, or call us, fill in an Appointment Request Form or ask your Support Coordinator to send a referral. We will confirm we have received your enquiry within one business day.
WE MATCH YOU WITH A BEHAVIOUR
SUPPORT PRACTITIONER.
Based on your needs, location, and age group, we will connect you with the right clinician. We offer clinic, home, school, and community visits depending on what works for your situation.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Your practitioner will spend time understanding the person, their routines, their strengths, and what is currently difficult. We observe, ask questions, and listen to everyone involved. This is where trust starts.
FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIOUR ASSESSMENT AND PLAN
We complete a thorough assessment to understand why behaviours are happening. From there, we write an Interim or Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan with proactive strategies, reactive strategies, and a clear pathway to reducing restrictive practices.
IMPLEMENTATION AND COACHING
We do not just hand over a document. We coach the people around the person, support workers, family, teachers, on how to use the strategies consistently. We are there for the hard days, not just the planning days.
REVIEW AND REPORTING
We provide regular progress reviews and update plans as the person grows and changes.
We report on restrictive practice use, skill development, and incident trends so funding decisions are evidence-based and the plan stays current.
CAN I USE MY NDIS PLAN FOR
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT?
Positive Behaviour Support is widely used for people with a range of disabilities. From cerebral palsy to autism, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, and ADHD, it is also a key support for adjusting to life after a brain or spinal injury. We meet you where you are, with respect for your preferences and communication style.
Start with a no-cost discovery session:
We listen first, then design a clear support plan together. You will meet the team and feel comfortable in our accessible environment. Our practitioners visit homes, schools, day programs, and community settings, wherever makes sense for the person and their network.
One team aligned:
Funding, made simpler:
Meet Our Positive Behaviour Support Team
Michael Baxter
Behaviour Support Practitioner
B.Ed/BA
Sam Harris
Behaviour Support Practitioner
BSW, Dip MH, JP (NSW)
Shane Cassel
Clinic Director, Behaviour Support Practitioner & Exercise Physiologist
MCExPhys
Juma Lohure
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Bach. Psych
Penny Sydenham
Discipline Area Manager & Behaviour Support Practitioner
B. Comm. Welfare (Youth Work)
Ashley Allen-Skinner
Area Discipline Manager & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Matthew Craig
Behaviour Support Practioner/Exercise Physiologist
BAppSc (ExPhys)
Katherine Weeks
Behavioural Support Practitioner
BPsych
Referrers Hub
Whether you’re a new referrer or you’ve used our services before, the Optimum referrers hub has all your needs. With one click you can make enquiries, make referrals and check all of our clinics’ service capacities.
Start Your Enquiry
Regions Where we offer Positive Behaviour Support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Positive Behaviour Support?
Will you help me navigate NDIS paperwork and the Behaviour Support Plan?
I’m tired of repeating our story. How do you coordinate care?
How do cancellations and payments work?
What funding do you accept, and where do you see people?
How Can We Support You Today?
Our Core Services
A team of caring health professionals working together around you.
From physiotherapy and exercise rehabilitation to speech pathology, dietetics, podiatry and more, your care is coordinated not fragmented.
NDIS Disability Services
Navigating the NDIS can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to do it alone.
As a registered NDIS provider, we align therapy with your plan and help map out a clear and sustainable pathway so funding works for you.
Careers at Optimum
Do meaningful work without burning out.
Join a supportive multidisciplinary team where mentoring, collaboration and professional growth are part of everyday practice.
Living your Optimum life
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