Behaviour Bits

Zac Demopoulos, a specialist behaviour support practitioner and Chief Operating Officer at Step 2 Allied Health, joins the podcast to discuss what new positive behaviour support practitioners need to know when starting out in the NDIS. The conversation explores the steep learning curve facing new practitioners, from managing uncertainty and imposter syndrome to understanding that positive behaviour support within the NDIS operates under a specific legislative and regulatory context. Zac reflects on how even highly experienced professionals can feel like beginners again, and why psychological safety within a team is essential for people to raise concerns before they reach crisis point. Zac and Jenn discuss what good practice looks like in action, including genuine informed consent, biopsychosocial assessment beyond only ABC data, and working from principled processes. The episode includes advice on maintaining a regular cadence of support, keeping caseloads balanced, and assigning each recommendation to one accountable person. For those new to the profession of behaviour support practitioner or considering a change, this episode offers a grounded look at what sustains good practice over time: clear frameworks, honest communication, realistic expectations of uncertainty, and systems of support that prevent burnout and protect the quality of the work being delivered. 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Zac's Path into Behaviour Support 09:46 PBS Within an NDIS Context 12:51 Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt 21:59 The Power of Informed Consent 30:34 Building a Clinical Framework 50:50 Principle Over Prescription 1:00:24 Cadence of Support and Sustainable Practice 1:07:05 Closing Thoughts About the Guest Zac Demopoulos is a social worker and specialist behaviour support practitioner who has spent his career building and leading behaviour support teams across the disability sector. He entered the field via out-of-home care before moving into NDIS behaviour support roughly seven years ago, and is currently Chief Operating Officer at Step 2 Allied Health in Geelong. Key Takeaways New practitioners need to become comfortable with uncertainty and not having all the answers, since human behaviour and the systems around it involve too many moving parts for certainty. Imposter syndrome is common even among experienced practitioners, and often shows up as self-doubt that persists despite clear evidence of good work. Genuine informed consent, explaining plainly why someone has been referred, builds trust more effectively than dancing around a difficult topic. Good assessment needs to be biopsychosocial rather than a narrow episodic ABC focus, taking in health, history and broader context. Working from principles rather than a rigid prescriptive process leads to simpler solutions, illustrated by an example where simply asking a person what they wanted resolved a supposed behaviour of concern. A regular cadence of support, consistent touchpoints with every person on a caseload, prevents people falling through the gaps and protects practitioners from becoming purely reactive to crises. Resources Mentioned Right Direction Spectrum of Participation PBSP model by Dr Alinka Fisher Ross Greene's collaborative and proactive solutions approach Google Scholar NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission practice guides Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

Clinical psychologist and specialist behaviour support practitioner Dr Zoe Perry unpacks the often murky distinction between psychology and positive behaviour support, and what genuine interdisciplinary collaboration looks like in practice. The conversation covers the concept of “the missing middle”- people who are too complex for mainstream services, yet not eligible for public mental health or disability supports, and how this gap influences and shapes service delivery. The discussion moves into practical territory, examining where scope of practice and scope of role diverge, whether positive behaviour support should be considered therapy, and how formulation skills can sharpen rather than blur professional boundaries. Real world examples illustrate how psychologists and behaviour support practitioners can work in a genuinely interdisciplinary way, including practical tools like shared formulation and simple memoranda of understanding, and strategies for advocating to the NDIS when clients need both disciplines working together rather than one substituting for the other. Anyone working alongside psychologists and behaviour support practitioners in disability and mental health settings will recognise the tension between staying within scope and responding to genuine unmet need. This conversation offers concrete language and tools for navigating that tension while keeping the person at the centre of a coordinated, evidence-informed interdisciplinary support team. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:03 A Career in Complex Behaviour 06:16 The Missing Middle 10:36 Psychology vs Behaviour Support 15:21 Is PBS Therapy? 22:33 Psychologically Informed PBS 36:52 Multidisciplinary vs Interdisciplinary Teams 43:06 Practical Strategies for Collaboration 53:55 Advocating for NDIS Funding 1:01:19 Closing Thoughts About the Guest Dr Zoe Perry is a clinical psychologist and advanced specialist behaviour support practitioner. She is the founder and director of Journey Health Solutions, a multidisciplinary practice of behaviour support practitioners, psychologists and occupational therapists based in Melbourne. Key Takeaways The missing middle describes clients too complex for public mental health or mainstream disability services yet not eligible for adequate private support, a gap that predates the NDIS Positive behaviour support is not therapy, but practitioners can sometimes do short, contained, person led work if they have relevant training, supervision and a clear rationale Around 30 percent of behaviour support practitioners are psychologists, which further complicates any attempt to draw a hard line between the two disciplines Learning formulation skills does not expand a practitioner's scope, it clarifies it by helping identify which parts of a presentation belong to behaviour support and which need another discipline The NDIS previously suggested clients could only access psychology or behaviour support, not both, which created confusion and led some services to swap one for the other inappropriately Simple tools such as a shared table outlining each team member's role, or a brief memorandum of understanding, can prevent duplication and scope creep in interdisciplinary teams Resources Mentioned NDIS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme Journey Health Solutions British Psychological Society formulation guidance Zones of Regulation Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

This episode explores positive behaviour support (PBS) principles in dementia contexts with Dr Alinka Fisher, Senior Lecturer in Disability and Community Inclusion at Flinders University. Drawing on her research across disability, acquired brain injury and dementia, Alinka discusses why behaviour should be understood as communication rather than a symptom of diagnosis, and how PBS frameworks apply flexibly to support people living with dementia and their families. The conversation unpacks the critical distinction between managing behaviours and understanding the complex interactions, neurological changes, personal history and environmental factors that influence how people communicate their needs. Alinka shares insights from education programmes delivered to families and residential aged care staff, highlighting what foundations of good support actually look like in practice. Understanding behaviour as communication opens up fundamentally different possibilities for supporting people with dementia and their families. Whether you're a behaviour support practitioner, aged care worker or allied health professional, this episode offers practical perspective on how PBS principles translate into real-world practice, the importance of collaborative, family-centred approaches, and how to build workforce capability when time and resources feel stretched. Alinka's work demonstrates that person-centred, evidence-informed practice isn't reserved for ideal circumstances but can be flexibly applied in every situation. Resources: Fisher et al. (2022). Positive behaviour support for people with dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5844 Fisher et al. (2023). The acceptability and usefulness of positive behaviour support education sessions for frontotemporal dementia families. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1177/08919887221090214 Fisher et al. (2024). "It's opened my eyes to a whole new world": PBS training for staff and families in aged care. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias. https://doi.org/10.1177/15333175241241168 Fisher et al. (2024). PBS-P Framework for flexible, rights-based practice. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2402079 Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

This episode explores cultural reflexivity in behaviour support practice with Anika Tabassum, a specialist behaviour support practitioner with over a decade of experience supporting culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. Anika examines what cultural reflexivity is- including the critical distinction between cultural awareness and cultural reflexivity, and explains why many well-intentioned practitioners and teams recognise culture as an important factor in behaviour support, but may find challenges in integrating true culturally reflexive practice. The conversation covers practical strategies for approaching cultural reflexivity by replacing assumptions with curiosity, and provides concrete examples of how practitioners can reframe goals and strategies to align with collectivist family values without compromising outcomes or NDIS accountability. This episode offers essential insight into how practitioner’s and service system’s own cultural lenses shape the way behaviour is interpreted, priorities are set, and therapeutic relationships are established. Cultural reflexivity isn’t an additional training box to tick- it’s an active, ongoing commitment to understanding the cultural context of the people and families receiving support, and recognises that the pathway to meaningful, positive outcomes requires humility and collaboration. Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

Co-design in behaviour support means working alongside people to develop plans and supports rather than creating them solely from the professional’s perspective and presenting them as finished products. Tarnya Bruinier discusses how involving people in understanding their own triggers, strengths, and needs leads to greater buy-in, ownership, and sustainable outcomes. Tarnya is a Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner, AuDHD woman, mother of neurodivergent children and the Director of Wildfire Wellbeing. She shares practical examples, from a woman who created her own de-escalation plan to a young person who identified a safe space to regulate at school, demonstrating how curiosity and person-centred collaboration fundamentally reshape behaviour support practice. The conversation also explores how traditional assessments can incorporate co-design, how tools like Vista trigger cards build self-awareness, and the importance of shifting mindsets from managing behaviour to addressing unmet needs. Co-design is particularly valuable when supporting people with behaviours of concern. It honours autonomy, builds agency, and recognises that people are the experts in their own lives. By slowing down, asking questions, and genuinely listening, practitioners create plans that reflect what actually matters to the person, often leading to better outcomes. Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode, Micaela Rafferty — Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst, special educator, and nationally recognised nutritionist — joins the podcast to explore the science of burnout and how behaviour analysts and allied health professionals can apply their own expertise to protect their health and wellbeing. Micaela unpacks the official definition of burnout as a predictable response to chronic, unresolved workplace stress and explains why those working in the NDIS space face a particularly layered set of stressors — from shifting government policy and funding constraints through to compassion fatigue and the emotional demands of caring work. The conversation covers practical, evidence-based self-care strategies grounded in behavioural science: designing supportive environments, reducing response effort, building in rest and recovery across physical, mental, emotional, and sensory dimensions, and creating systems of accountability and reinforcement to sustain behaviour change over time. This episode reframes self-care not as an indulgence but as an ethical and professional responsibility. The very skills practitioners apply daily with clients and participants — functional assessment, environment design, shaping small consistent behaviours, and frequent reinforcement — are exactly the tools needed to protect clinical capacity and prevent burnout. Whether you’re already feeling the weight of an unsustainable workload, or you want to get ahead of the warning signs, Micaela’s insights offer a genuinely practical starting point. Small, meaningful steps, taken consistently and without self-judgement, are what create lasting change — and that applies as much to practitioners as it does to the people they support. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

Jenn Colechin is joined by Dr Fiona J. Davis to unpack what actually makes Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) implementation work in real-world disability contexts. Fiona is a specialist developmental educator and specialist behaviour support practitioner with more than 35 years’ experience across Australia, and she brings a strongly rights-based, practical lens to the “doing” part of PBS. Together, they explore why implementation often becomes an afterthought (especially for novice practitioners under compliance pressure), and what it looks like to start implementation from “day dot” by building trust, working with context, and focusing on micro-changes that families and support teams can realistically sustain. Takeaways: Implementation isn’t the optional second half of PBS. It’s the core work that turns assessment and plans into meaningful quality-of-life change. Many PBS practitioners have been trained for compliance (reports, timelines, restrictive practice identification), but not supported to build strong implementation skills. Start implementation from the first contact: the way you listen, communicate, and build trust sets up everything that follows. “Good implementation” is always contextual. Your approach shifts depending on the person, setting, safety risks, and stakeholder capacity. Micro-changes matter: small, doable shifts can create momentum, reduce overwhelm, and help stakeholders see that change is possible. Data collection needs to fit the family’s real life. Creative, low-burden options (like simple dots on a calendar) can still give useful insight. Strong therapeutic relationships make it easier to collaborate, problem-solve, and respectfully challenge when things don’t go to plan. Understanding disability (including history, rights, and lived impact) is essential. Behaviour support doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Clear, concrete communication supports predictability (for example, reducing language during escalation and using specific times rather than vague “later”). Implementation is iterative: expect adjustments as you learn more, circumstances change, and you refine strategies, often by simplifying rather than adding more. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS goals) offers a practical way to define success, capture progress on a spectrum, and make outcomes visible and measurable. Organisation supports implementation: simple structure, checklists, and consistent communication reduce “floating in the wind” for both practitioners and teams. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

Jenn Colechin is joined by Jill Hellemans (Behaviour Analyst, Special Educator, and Child and Family counsellor; Clinical Director of All Aboard Inclusion) to unpack early intervention- especially what good early intervention can look like when it’s embedded in inclusive, real-world settings like homes, childcare, and preschool. Together, they explore why early intervention is fundamentally about building meaningful skills (not “fixing” children), how capacity-building with families and educators creates real intensity over time, and what current shifts in Australia’s NDIS landscape (including Thriving Kids) could mean for practice, particularly around natural environments, collaboration, and tiered support. Takeaways: Early intervention is most powerful when it builds foundational learning skills early (communication, play, transitions, tolerance, daily living skills, safety), reducing the likelihood that distress behaviours become the main way needs are communicated and met. Progress comes from everyday practice across routines, relationships, and environments. High-quality early intervention prioritises capacity-building: upskilling the people who are with the child most (family, educators, support staff) so strategies are used consistently and confidently. Teaching needs to happen where life happens, like at home, community, and early childhood settings because that’s where skills are most likely to generalise and stick. Multidisciplinary work is essential, but collaboration needs to be realistically funded and protected. In early childhood settings, therapists who “blend in” (support routines, join play, build rapport, avoid the clipboard-in-the-corner vibe) are more likely to create sustainable change. Early intervention is a rights-based opportunity: teaching choice-making, requesting, and rejection (including “no”) supports agency and reduces reliance on unsafe or misunderstood communication. · Thriving Kids could create better pathways by focusing on need (not just diagnosis), strengthening natural-environment supports, and investing earlier, before children reach school already behind. · Jill’s call to the field: be more visible, collaborative, and open. Show what contemporary ABA looks like in practice, learn from lived experience and past harms, and keep improving. Resources mentioned in the episode: · PRECI Report (National Best Practice Framework in Early Childhood Intervention) – released May 2025 · Thriving Kids Advisory Group Final Report – released December 2025 · Key worker model (and how behaviour analysts can work effectively within it)Want extra support to turn these ideas into practical, real-world strategies? Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice—designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode of Behaviour Bits, Jenn Colechin is joined again by behaviour support practitioner, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, speech pathologist, and co-director of Launch Supervision, Kristin Bayley, for a deep dive into supervision. Together they unpack what “good supervision” really looks like in Positive Behaviour Support, both within NDIS contexts and beyond, and why it matters at every stage of your career. They explore the difference between clinical and organisational supervision, how to balance KPIs with genuine clinical growth, and why the “dose” and quality of supervision can be a major protective factor against practitioner burnout. You’ll also hear practical guidance on individual vs group and clinical vs organisational supervision, how to find a supervisor who’s a good fit for your values, and how supervision can help you hold onto your “why” in this demanding but rewarding work. Takeaways: Supervision should be lifelong: even very experienced practitioners benefit from a reflective space, a soundboard, and someone to challenge and extend their thinking. There is a crucial difference between organisational supervision (KPIs, billables, deadlines, compliance) and clinical supervision (case formulation, evidence base, skills, wellbeing) and both are needed. When supervision time is often consumed by compliance issues, practitioners lose opportunities for deeper clinical reflection and skill-building, and risk practising in a reactive way. Finding a supervisor starts with knowing your own “why” and values—then seeking out practitioners whose public work resonates, connecting through communities of practice, and treating the match a bit like dating: fit matters. Supervision is a key protection against practitioner burnout in emotionally demanding work; connection, celebration of small wins, and peer/reading groups all help you keep giving people the best of you, not just what’s left of you. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice—designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In today’s engaging conversation, Dr. Russ Fox discusses his journey in education, focusing on positive behaviour support and its implementation in schools. He emphasises the importance of multi-tiered systems of support, building relationships with students, and the need for targeted training for teachers. Dr. Fox highlights the interconnectedness of academic and social behaviours and advocates for a rights-based approach to behaviour support. The discussion also covers practical strategies for effective classroom management and the significance of celebrating small successes to motivate both teachers and students. Takeaways: Dr. Russ Fox emphasises the importance of effective implementation in positive behaviour support. Multi-tiered systems of support are crucial for addressing diverse student needs. Building relationships with students is essential for effective teaching and behaviour management. Teachers often feel overwhelmed by the demands of classroom management and behaviour support. Positive behaviour support should be a team effort involving the entire school community. Teachers need targeted training in behaviour management strategies during their preparation. Academic and social behaviours are interconnected and should be taught together. Implementation of behaviour support strategies must be functional and sustainable. Celebrating small successes can motivate both teachers and students. Research on rights-based approaches to behaviour support is emerging and important. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice—designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

This episode dives straight into the constructional approach to positive behaviour support (PBS), an outcomes-first, person-led framework championed by guests John Wooderson and Oliver Roschke. Rather than shrinking “problem behaviour”, they emphasise building repertoires, opportunities and genuine options using four guiding questions: where the person wants to go, where they are now, how to get there, and what will keep them going. You’ll hear how this shifts practice towards true therapeutic contracts with the individual, assent-based, strengths-focused planning, and dignified risk—grounding change in what matters to the person, not in compliance for others. We get practical about disentangling PBS from restrictive practices by targeting the behaviour of the implementing provider and co-designing alternatives that keep everyone safe without eroding rights. John shares a compelling case example replacing a compulsory in-car harness with communication supports and staged fading—resolving conflict and maintaining safety by building skills and staff practices, not adding restraint. The conversation closes with actionable takeaways: co-created “lifestyle plans” over behaviour plans, rigorous progress reviews that treat programme design (not the person) as the problem when change stalls, and a relentless focus on quality-of-life outcomes. Resources: "Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice" is probably one of the most accessible introductions to the constructional approach and non-linear contingency analysis, and it was written to introduce these ideas and concepts to a broader audience, beyond behaviour analysis: https://www.amazon.com.au/Nonlinear-Contingency-Analysis-Cognition-Behavior-ebook/dp/B09GFMZ6F9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 PDF copies of the book are available via most uni libraries. Constructional Approach community website: The Constructional Approach to Behavior Analysis – constructional approach Relevant research papers Liden, T.A., Rosales-Ruiz, J. Constructional Parent Coaching: A Collaborative Approach to Improve the Lives of Parents of Children with Autism. Behav Analysis Practice 18, 109–126 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00944-y (attached) Abdel-Jalil, A., Linnehan, A.M., Yeich, R. et al. Can There Be Compassion without Assent? A Nonlinear Constructional Approach. Behav Analysis Practice (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00850-9 (free download: (PDF) Can There Be Compassion without Assent? A Nonlinear Constructional Approach ) Layng, T. V. J., & Abdel‐Jalil, A. (2022). Toward a constructional exposure therapy. Advances in Cognitive Therapy, Fall, 8–11. (Free download: (PDF) TOWARD A CONSTRUCTIONAL EXPOSURE THERAPY ) Linnehan, A.M., Abdel-Jalil, A., Klick, S. et al. Foundations of Preemptive Compassion: A Behavioral Concept Analysis of Compulsion, Consent, and Assent.Behav Analysis Practice (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00890-1 (Free download: (PDF) Foundations of Preemptive Compassion: A Behavioral Concept Analysis of Compulsion, Consent, and Assent ) Scallan, C.M., Rosales-Ruiz, J. The Constructional Approach: A Compassionate Approach to Behavior Change. Behav Analysis Practice (2023). Https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00811-2 (free online copy: The Constructional Approach: A Compassionate Approach to Behavior Change ) Layng T. V. (2009). The search for an effective clinical behavior analysis: the nonlinear thinking of Israel goldiamond. The Behavior analyst, 32(1), 163–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392181 Goldiamond, I. Toward a Constructional Approach to Social Problems: Ethical and Constitutional Issues Raised by Applied Behavior Analysis. Behav. Soc. Iss. 11, 108–197 (2002). https://doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v11i2.92 Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice—designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways.Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode, Psychologist and Director of Clinical Training, Matthew Spicer explains the Multi Element Behaviour Support (MEBS) model. MEBS is a way of thinking about behaviour support that goes beyond simply trying to “stop” challenging behaviour. Instead of focusing only on what happens before and after an action, Matthew shows how MEBS emphasises needing to understand the bigger picture—the person’s past experiences, what they are trying to achieve, and how their environment supports or blocks them. He describes how behaviour support can be about improving someone’s quality of life, not just preventing problem behaviour, and that prioritising proactive strategies (what we do every day to set someone up for success) from reactive strategies (what we do in the moment to keep everyone safe) makes all the difference. Using real-life examples, he shows why sometimes the most respectful and effective response in the moment is to meet the person’s need—like offering that cup of coffee—while planning long-term skill-building and supports for the future. Matthew shares a guide for doing MEBS well. He talks about how to start with a good assessment, design plans that build skills and positive experiences, and make sure the people putting the plan into action feel supported, trained, and confident. He links this approach to broader ideas like trauma-informed practice and positive psychology, but always brings it back to what really matters: helping people have better, safer, meaningful lives. His message is clear—good behaviour support is not about controlling behaviour, but about building an environment where people can thrive. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All-Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice—designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this thought-provoking episode, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, consultant psychologist, and Director of Billy Cart Behaviour Sarah McCluskey joins the discussion to unpack the complex and often misunderstood topic of sexualised behaviour. Together, they challenge common assumptions, explore why context matters, and reframe how these behaviours are described and responded to- especially when disability is part of the picture.Sarah sheds light on the concept of “counterfeit deviance”, where behaviours that appear problematic may stem from lack of education, privacy, or opportunity rather than harmful intent. She also shares practical ways to support healthy, respectful relationships and sexual expression, while reducing risk and protecting dignity.From teaching correct anatomical language as a safeguarding measure, to using structured frameworks to understand the unmet need of the behaviour, Sarah offers strategies for support that are grounded in evidence and compassion. This conversation highlights why labelling behaviours as “sexualised” can be misleading and harmful, and why skill-building, environmental adjustments, and open, values-aware conversations are critical. It’s an essential listen for anyone wanting to replace discomfort and stigma with informed, person-centred support, ensuring people’s needs for intimacy, connection, and safety are understood and respected. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways.Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode, guest Tim Angel, occupational therapist, lifestyle coach, and director of Ability Rehab and Bridge Rehab joins us for an in-depth exploration of grounding techniques. Tim unpacks how these strategies can be applied in clinical, lifestyle, and everyday settings to help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and support decision-making. From sensory and cognitive methods to physical, emotional, and environmental approaches, he breaks down how to select the right strategies for different individuals, contexts, and levels of distress. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how grounding can be tailored to personal needs, why proactive teaching is essential, and how reflection strengthens effectiveness over time. Tim shares a wealth of practical examples from school-based group activities to individualised toolkits, highlighting their flexibility and relevance across all ages and abilities. Whether used for calming intense moments, preventing overwhelm, or building self-regulation skills, these tools can make a meaningful difference in daily life. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode, Niall Hewitt, director of Rubix Support and board member of Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia and Developmental Educators Australia, shares deep insights into the evolving landscape of residential support services. With decades of experience across direct disability care, forensic services, government departments, and now leadership in the sector, Niall walks us through his hands-on journey and the critical importance of understanding support from the ground up. He discusses how good support goes beyond ticking boxes—it’s about consistency, meaningful relationships, respectful environments, and support that genuinely makes someone’s life better. The conversation explores practical ways to identify and promote what good support looks like in accommodation settings. From everyday choices and personal dignity to the role of leadership, team training, and person-centred practice, Niall outlines key considerations that can really make or break the living experience of individuals with disability. He also challenges the systemic issues like funding-driven decisions and staff turnover that can undermine person-centred care, urging us to shift the focus back to the individual. This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in behaviour support or disability services, offering grounded, thoughtful strategies that bridge policy and practice in real-world ways. You can find out more about Rubix Support here: https://rubixsupport.com.au/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode, Jenn is joined by Dr Brent Hayward, a registered nurse and senior lecturer at Monash University with over two decades of experience across disability, mental health, and policy sectors. Brent shares a compelling reflection on his 20-year journey, highlighting the systemic barriers, evolving practices, and persistent challenges in providing effective support for individuals with disabilities and complex needs. Drawing on his keynote from the Complex Needs Conference, Brent outlines the “Top 10 Things to Do Differently”, offering a powerful critique of current service delivery models and a roadmap for meaningful change. The conversation dives into why reflective practice alone isn’t enough without coaching, the pitfalls of the “train and hope” approach to workforce development, and the dangers of relying on under-qualified staff for high-risk support. Brent challenges the over-reliance on medical practitioners and assessment referrals, advocating instead for person-centred, evidence-informed approaches that empower support workers and practitioners alike. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their practical impact, navigate systemic inertia, and rethink how we work together to foster true inclusion and quality of life. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. You can find Dr. Brent's paper on Research Gate here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brent-Hayward-2 Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this compelling follow-up episode, Sharon Paley returns to delve deeper into the ethical principles and human rights considerations regarding restrictive practices in behaviour support. Drawing on her extensive clinical and policy experience in the UK and Australia, Sharon candidly reflects on the evolution of practice, from untrained restraint use to the implementation of thoughtful, rights-focused approaches. Her insights highlight the emotional weight professionals often carry and the need for brave, well-supported teams who are equipped to make ethical decisions even in high-risk environments. Listeners will gain a nuanced understanding of why restrictive practices are often used as default, and how that can be shifted with strong leadership, collaborative decision-making, and truly person-centred planning. Sharon unpacks key principles of ethical decision-making frameworks and stresses the importance of multidisciplinary voices and informed, proactive strategies and support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with the challenges of restraint reduction and striving to uphold human dignity in complex care settings. Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. It’s all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice—designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this engaging episode, Dr Georgina Cox, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Royal Children's Hospital, shares insights from her extensive experience supporting families navigating disability, trauma, and mental health challenges. Georgina delves into the transformative power of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and EMDR, illustrating how these approaches can help individuals find meaning, flexibility, and resilience in the face of life's difficulties. Georgina is a Member At Large of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science-Australia and New Zealand Chapter (ANZACBS) https://www.anzacbs.com/about-anzacbs . Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode, Jenn sits down with Dr Erin Leif, a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and senior lecturer at Monash University, to unpack the complexities of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Erin shares her professional journey, from struggling as a student to becoming a leading advocate for transforming PBS practices in Australia. Through their discussion, they explore the current state of PBS in the NDIS, the challenges practitioners face, and how the system has shifted towards a compliance-heavy, reactive model rather than a truly supportive and preventative approach. They dig deep into the critical need for a paradigm shift—one that places more emphasis on proactive, universal support strategies over restrictive practices. Erin presents a compelling case for reimagining PBS as an everyday, embedded practice that prevents the need for behaviour support plans and restrictive measures altogether. They discuss how focusing on routine healthcare, creating environments of success, and implementing person-centred active support can significantly improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities. If you’re working in behaviour support or looking for ways to create a more inclusive and effective support system, this episode is packed with insights and actionable steps for making meaningful change. Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com

In this episode of *Behaviour Bits*, Jenn sits down with Dr. Astrid Birgden, a forensic clinical psychologist and behaviour support specialist with over four decades of experience. Astrid shares her insights on the intersection of forensic psychology, disability, and positive behaviour support, shedding light on how human rights can and should be upheld—even in complex cases involving individuals with intellectual disabilities and offending behaviours. Throughout the conversation, Astrid discusses her pioneering work in forensic disability services, the Good Lives Model, and how therapeutic jurisprudence can shape a more humane approach to rehabilitation. She explores how professionals can balance dignity of risk with duty of care, improve quality of life for clients, and ensure that positive behaviour support is truly *positive*—rather than just a compliance exercise. Whether you’re working in disability, corrections, or psychology, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to inform your practice. Additional Resources: https://www.goodlivesmodel.com/ Compendium of Resources for Positive Behaviour Support https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-10/Compendium%20of%20Resources%20for%20Positive%20Behaviour%20Support%20%20%20A%20guide%20for%20behaviour%20support%20practitioners%20-%20March%202019.docx Positive Practice Framework https://www.dffh.vic.gov.au/information-behaviour-support-practitioners Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied Behavior Analysis (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Complex FBA & BSP Workshop - Melbourne CBD Thursday 26 November 2026. Six interactive hours building confidence with complex presentations: real de-identified cases, functional hypotheses, planning, risk and restrictive practices. Templates you will use, plus a certificate mapped to the NDIS Behaviour Support Capability Framework. Register now at https://specialistbehaviour.com/event/complex-functional-behaviour-assessment-fba-behaviour-support-planning-bsp-workshop/ Looking for practical, flexible learning that goes beyond the podcast? The All Access Pass gives you unlimited entry to all of our self-paced online courses, early access to new content, exclusive member discounts, and our ever-growing library of downloadable resources, templates, and clinical tools. I t's all grounded in evidence-based, person-centred practice, designed to support you at your own pace, in real-world ways. Visit https://specialistbehaviour.com/all-access-pass/ Questions, comments, feedback? Email us at info@specialistbehaviour.com