Maryland Positive Behavior Support Training

Positive behavior support is a framework that includes tools and strategies for improving quality of life and decreasing challenging behavior.

The four elements of positive behavior support include the following:

1. Outcomes are focused on improving quality of life,
2. Interventions are based on behavioral and biomedical research,
3. Strategies are proven to work based on science and data are used to guide decision making over time, and
4. Changes are made to family and organizational settings to improve the lives of everyone involved.

Positive behavior support can be a simple part of our everyday routines or may involve problem solving that is driven by a people receiving support and the people who know that person well.

You are already using positive behavior support at work when you are positive and person centered while interacting with other people.

Being Positive Every Day

Examples of Positive Behavior Support:

• Active listening and attending to what another person is saying
• Modeling, teaching, practicing, and reinforcing social and communication skills
• Teaching someone how to recognize strong emotions and learn new ways to cope with these feelings
• Reinforcing and celebrating the kindness of other people
• Helping people connect with others and make new friends
• Changing an activity or task so that it is easier to for a person to succeed
• Making changes in routines and activities to prevent challenges by increasing predictability and choice

Activity

Write Down Your Answer

Describe briefly or share with another person how you have recently made simple changes that are positive:

• At home 
• At work