Behaviour Isn’t “The Problem” It’s The Message

One of the biggest misconceptions about Positive Behaviour Support is that it’s about stopping "challenging behaviours". Families, educators, and support workers often ask, “How do we get rid of this behaviour?” as if the goal is simply to make it disappear.

But behaviour support isn’t about eliminating behaviour—it’s about understanding what’s driving it.

Behaviour is communication. It’s a person’s way of expressing an unmet need, whether that’s discomfort, frustration, or a lack of skills to navigate a situation. If we only focus on reducing the behaviour without addressing the underlying cause, we risk missing the bigger picture.

Instead of asking, “How do we stop this behaviour?” we should be asking:

What is this behaviour trying to tell us? Every behaviour has a function—whether it’s to seek connection, escape a difficult task, or gain control over an overwhelming situation.

What skills does this person need to navigate this differently? Are they struggling with communication, self-regulation, or understanding expectations? Addressing skill gaps creates long-term change.

How can we adjust the environment to better support them? Are there triggers we can modify? Can we provide more structure, sensory supports, or alternative ways to meet their needs?

Challenging behaviours don’t happen in isolation. When we shift from control to curiosity, we stop treating behaviours as problems to fix and start seeing them as valuable insights into what a person needs.

PBS isn’t about stopping behaviour—it’s about supporting people to thrive.