Safety Before Strategy in PBS

The polyvagal theory completely changed the way I understand behaviour.
Developed by Stephen Porges, this framework explains how our nervous system constantly scans for cues of safety or danger, often without us even realising it.

And it has big implications for Positive Behaviour Support.

Here’s the gist:
Ventral vagal state = connection, calm, curiosity
Sympathetic state = fight or flight, heightened arousal, reactivity
Dorsal vagal state = shutdown, dissociation, collapse

We move through these states fluidly all day, but for some people, especially those with trauma histories or neurodivergent nervous systems, their baseline might be hypervigilance or withdrawal. And what gets labelled as “non-compliance” or “aggression” is often just an attempt to survive in a world that feels unsafe.

In PBS, this theory helps me:

→ Reframe “behaviour” as communication from the nervous system
→ Co-create environments where people actually feel safe, not just look safe
→ Ditch the “fixing” mindset and focus on regulation, not control
→ Prioritise co-regulation, predictability, and attunement

This lens brings so much compassion into the work. It reminds us that before teaching, planning, or even supporting - we have to start with safety.

If someone’s nervous system doesn’t feel safe, no amount of behaviour support will stick.