Understanding Adult Behavioural Support Under the NDIS: A Simple Guide for Families

Negotiating the NDIS can be a bit of a minefield at times – in particular when behaviours of concern start impacting everyday life. If you’re a carer, parent or service provider supporting someone with a disability, chances are you’ve heard people talk about adult behavioural support and have been left wondering what it actually means.

This guide presents good and clear lay explanations of support for adult behaviour. It explains how NDIS behaviour support operates, who delivers it, how funding is granted and how families and support workers can access the appropriate help.

You might be a player, a parent, a carer or even someone working in disability care and services; this article is going to help you get some more information on what your choices are.

What Is Adult Behavioural Support?

Adult behavioural support is a specialist NDIS service to support adults with disability where they experience difficult or challenging behaviour. These may be aggressive, withdrawn, self-injurious or destructive to property or other behaviours that place the individual or others at risk of harm.

The aim isn’t to regulate behaviour. Positive behaviour support is the agenda, rather than harm. It seeks the rationale that directs the behaviour and strives to make life better.

Objectives of adult behavioural support services are to:

• Improve communication and emotional regulation
• Minimise behaviours of concern in a way which is safe and respectful
• Develop independence and activities of daily living skills
• Get families on board and equip workers with ‘aha!’ solutions

Assistance is made to suit the person. Everybody is different; therefore, behaviour plans must be individualised to personal goals, strengths and needs.

What Is NDIS Behaviour Support?

It's whose behaviours place their safety, health or ability to be involved in the community at risk.

The service is provided by an accredited behaviour therapist. The professionals are NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission registered and operate within guidelines.

Behaviour practitioners work closely with:

• The participant
• Family members
• Support workers
• Allied health professionals
• Support coordinators

Their function is to create plans which diminish challenging behaviours and increase dignity and independence.

Where restrictive interventions – such as physical restraint or modifications to the environment – are in place, NDIS behaviour support focuses on decreasing and eliminating these as far as possible.

Understanding Positive Behaviour Support

Behaviour therapy under the NDIS is based on positive behaviour support. This is actually understanding why behaviours occur rather than just merely reacting to them.

Every behaviour communicates something. It’s possible that it can be caused by stress, frustration, sensory overwhelm, difficulty communicating what they want/need, trauma or it’s just used when a need is not met.

Positive behaviour support involves:

• Careful assessment of triggers
• Observing patterns and environments
• Teaching alternative skills
• Strengthening communication
• Adjusting routines and supports

Take the case of an adult who finds loud places distressing – sensory adjustments, clear communication or gradual exposure would tend to be more productive than simply chastising that adult about not liking noise.

This respectful, person-centred style is at the heart of good adult behavioural support.

What Is a Behaviour Plan?

A behaviour plan is a formal report written by a behaviour practitioner. It describes treatment that helps the person as well as sends a message to all who care for him or her.

There are two types of behaviour plans under the NDIS:

• Interim behaviour plans that can be written quite quickly if immediate help is needed.
• Detailed and rationale-based behaviour plans.

A behaviour plan may include: 

• Details about what the person is confident in or excited about
• Triggers for challenging behaviours
• Early warning signs
• Practical response strategies
• Skill building supports

Recommendations for environmental changes

Family members and support workers are made aware of the strategy so that everyone is responding in a consistent way.

Consistency is important. If supports are implemented consistently between home, community and supported living settings, positive change is more probable.

Eligibility for Adult NDIS Behaviour Support: Who is Eligible?

All adult NDIS participants experiencing behaviours of concern are potentially eligible for ‘behaviour’ under the adult recipients on NDIS funded supports.

Behaviour support needs must be funded in the participant’s NDIS plan to access funding for behaviour support. This might occur in a planning meeting or plan review.

If behaviour support is not already in place, families can:

• Request a plan review
• Supply receipts from therapists or doctors
• Seek assistance from a support coordinator

Most members accessing support from NDIS have allocated funding in the Capacity Building supports.

If you are unsure as to whether your plan has funding for behaviour, please have a chat with your support coordinator or contact our friendly team via the Refer Now page to see how we can help.

The Role of the Practitioner in Behaviour

A behaviourist is central to the procedures. They evaluate needs, structure behaviour plans, train support teams and monitor progress.

Their work often includes:

• Interview with the participant and family
• Observing routines and environments
• Conducting functional behaviour assessments
• Writing behaviour plans
• Providing training to support staff

Reviewing outcomes regularly

Importantly, they work collaboratively. NDIS family support services are reinforced when families have a voice and feel valued.

A good practitioner listens attentively, communicates strategies clearly and works at a pace that’s comfortable.

How Families Are Supported

Looking after a person with destructive behaviours can be difficult and tiring. Family support NDIS services are in place so carers don’t feel isolated.

Behaviour support includes:

• Practical coaching
• Emotional support
• Clear communication strategies
• Education about triggers and responses

Guidance during difficult situations

Families are co-therapists. What you know! What you believe about your loved one is important and matters.

Adult support isn’t about blaming families. It’s about creating a common language and practical tools that help make the day-to-day easier and safer.

What Is a Typical Day Like in Behaviour Therapy?

Behavioural therapy NDIS might also include regular visits, phone support, tutorials or team meetings.

Progress may be gradual. Little tweaks add up to big improvements over time.

For example:

• An adult prone to anxiety during community activities may be taught calming strategies.
• Changing of care staff practices in support workers may be altering routines and reducing predictability.
• Why not also new communication tools to stop the irritation?
• Over time, confidence builds. Independence increases. Stress reduces.

A lower Incident count is not the only measure of success Better health and participation for those who were directly affected.

Value of ethical practice in disability support Australia

In disability care Australia, strong safeguards are in place for behaviour support. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission makes sure behaviour practitioners meet rigors standards.

If restrictive practices are a feature of a plan, they have to be based on and authorised by it and reviewed at regular intervals. It's all about reduction, subtraction of something.

So this is to preserve the rights and respect of people.

Ethical adult behavioural support means:

• Respecting human rights
• Promoting choice and control
• Encouraging independence
• Supporting inclusion in the community

When done right, behaviour support can build relationships rather than restrict them.

How to Get Started

If you think adult behaviour supports could be for you or your loved one, the first step is to look at your NDIS plan.

See if there are dollars from Improvement Relationships also as a funding source. If it isn’t, speak with your support coordinator about asking for funding support.

You can also visit our Adult NDIS Services page to find out more about how we offer individualised behaviour support in Australia.

If you are ready to link up with a behaviour support respondent, then visit our Refer Now page and send us your details. Our people will walk you through your next steps.

Final Thoughts

Understanding NDIS adult behavioural support does not have to be confusing. At the core is enhancing quality of life through positive behaviour support and respectful care.

Challenging behaviour is not a personal failing. They’re usually signals someone needs more empathy, structure or support.

With an appropriate behaviour practitioner, a good behaviour plan and strong family involvement, NDIS engagement change can be achieved.

For further information on how NDIS behaviour support can help you or someone you know, contact us. If you’d like to know more, please go to our Adult NDIS Services page, or click on Refer Now to get the convo started.