How I Use the Biopsychosocial Model When Creating Behaviour Support Plans

One of the most powerful tools I use in Positive Behaviour Support isn’t found in a workbook or behaviour chart.

It’s the biopsychosocial model, a framework that helps me zoom out and see the full picture of a person’s life.

When I’m writing a Behaviour Support Plan, this model reminds me to ask deeper, better questions:

Biological:
- Is the person experiencing pain, fatigue, illness, or sensory overload?
- Are there sleep, diet, or medication changes that might be impacting their behaviour?
- Are there neurological or developmental diagnoses that shape how they experience the world?

Why it matters:
So many risks of harm are expressions of discomfort that the person may not be able to communicate verbally.

Psychological
- How is the person managing emotions like anxiety, frustration, or grief?
- Are there trauma experiences we need to understand and work around?
- What’s their self-concept? How do they see themselves in the world?

Why it matters:
Emotional regulation skills and mental health often sit quietly in the background of behaviour, but they can drive everything we see on the surface.

Social
- What are their relationships like with family, peers, support workers?
- Are they meaningfully included in decisions about their own life?
- What’s their daily routine like? Are there patterns of boredom, rejection, or overstimulation?

Why it matters:
People thrive when they feel connected, respected, and empowered. Behaviour is often a reflection of whether those needs are being met.

When we use the biopsychosocial model, we don’t just respond to behaviour.
We seek to understand the person.

We move from managing moments to building meaningful, long-term support.
And that’s what PBS is all about.