Positive Behavioral Support:An Emerging Paradigm in Behavioral Interventions

Traditionally, psychologists and other professionals have been relying on the notion of punishment to deal with challenging and maladaptive behaviours of children with special needs and even with well functioning children. It had worked and had lead to significant changes in challenging behaviours of children. It followed strict behavioural approach. The new approach to deal with challenging behaviours that has emerged is a blend of positive psychology and applied behavioural analysis. This is often known as positive behavioral support. This is more broad based approach focusing on children's strengths, context of the behaviour and motivations behind those behaviours. Positive behavioral support (PBS) is a comprehensive, research-based proactive approach to behavioral support that endeavors to generate comprehensive change for children with challenging behavior. It involves identifying the purpose of challenging behavior, teaching appropriate alternative responses that serve the same purpose as the challenging behavior, consistently rewarding positive behaviors and minimizing the rewards for challenging behavior, and minimizing the physiological, environmental, and curricular elements that trigger challenging behavior. Proven PBS strategies include altering the classroom environment, increasing predictability and scheduling, increasing choice making, reinforcing positive behaviors, and teaching replacement skills. The current paper will focus on the various positive behavioral support strategies that are helpful in working with children displaying challenging behaviours.