Trauma Informed PBS

What Does Trauma-Informed Positive Behaviour Support Actually Look Like?

We talk a lot about trauma-informed practice in our sector, and rightly so.

But when it comes to behaviour support, “trauma-informed” needs to be more than a buzzword.

It needs to be a lens.
A mindset.
A commitment.

Because when someone has lived through trauma, their behaviour isn’t “manipulative.”
It’s protective.
It’s adaptive.
It’s their nervous system saying: “I’ve been here before. I’m not safe.”

So what does trauma-informed PBS look like?
It looks like:
- Slowing down and building trust before change
- Replacing “challenging behaviour” language with curiosity and compassion
- Prioritising felt safety, not just physical safety
- Understanding that consistency and predictability aren’t just helpful—they’re healing
- Designing plans that honour autonomy, reduce power dynamics, and include the person in every step

And maybe most importantly:
It means believing that everyone is doing the best they can with the tools they have, and our job is to help build a bigger, kinder toolkit.

Trauma-informed PBS doesn’t just reduce behaviours.
It restores dignity.
It rebuilds connection.
It recognises that behind every behaviour is a story worth hearing.