The Queensland Government is working to make Queensland a place where all people with a disability are welcomed and included – a place where people with a disability can pursue their goals and join in equally.
The Positive Futures program builds on this vision, working to uphold the rights of adults with a disability who exhibit challenging behaviour and support their participation in every day life.
Challenging behaviour
Some Queensland adults with a cognitive or intellectual disability exhibit severely challenging behaviour. This is behaviour that either causes harm to the adult or others, or represents a serious risk of harm to the adult or others.
A key goal of the Positive Futures program is to reduce or eliminate the use of restrictive practices and to help these adults improve their lives and participate more actively in their communities.
Positive behaviour support
Positive behaviour support is an approach that is responsive to an individual's needs. It requires a thorough understanding of a person and their behaviour in order to determine the best ways to support them.
Positive behaviour support responds to people's individual circumstances by:
- learning about their needs, wants and how they can be supported in relation to their behaviour
- using a planned approach to providing them with interesting and enjoyable activities that foster personal growth and community participation
- improving their living environment
- providing predictability and consistency in their life
- Increasing their ability to make choices about their life
- promoting positive behaviour and building on their strengths and abilities
- assisting them to develop the skills that allow them to participate in everyday tasks and activities.
Using positive behaviour support ensures the focus is always on the individual and is responsive to their needs.
If a restrictive practice is being used to support an adult with an intellectual disability who exhibits challenging behaviour, a positive behaviour support plan is required. To find out more about the legal requirements, read overview of amendments to the Disability Services Act 2006 Disability Services Act 2006 .
Your story
The following stories highlight some of the successes achieved by using a positive behaviour support approach.
Service providers
Steve McAuliffe, Positive Futures co-ordinator at TIPACL in Townsville gives a big picture perspective on how positive behaviour support is benefiting TIPACL's clients and staff. Read Steve's story Steve's story .
Families and guardians
Stories coming soon…
Specialist Response Service
Jerry Callope is a Disability Services cultural liaison officer. Read how Jerry is making a difference to the lives of far North Queensland Indigenous adults with an intellectual or cognitive disability. Jerry's story Jerry's story .
Read an interview with UK expat Dr Jonathan Mason, Individual Response Leader in Maroochydore, for an account of what it's like working for the Specialist Response Service and his understanding of what positive behaviour support means. Read Jonathan's story Jonathan's story .
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