7 Things a Positive Behavior Support Plan Should Include
If you’re a parent of a child who struggles with behavior challenges, you know how overwhelming it can feel sometimes. But instead of feeling helpless, you can manage situations better by having a Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP). Creating a well-rounded plan teaches your child consistency and the right strategies to manage emotions and actions.
A PBSP is rooted in evidence-based practices like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and focuses on preventing challenging behavior instead of reacting to it after the fact. When done right, it becomes more than a behavior intervention plan. It transforms into a blueprint for growth and resilience.
Let’s break down the essential pieces a strong PBSP should include and why they matter for your child’s success.
1. A Functional Behavioral Assessment
Every good plan begins with understanding why a problem behavior happens. Professionals use a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to get this done. An FBA collects data about what triggers certain actions, what happens immediately after, and how the behavior serves the child. For instance, a child may act out to escape a difficult task or to gain attention.
Sometimes a functional assessment includes structured tools like the Brief Behavior Questionnaire, which gives insight into patterns that aren’t always obvious. Without this first step, any attempt at behavior management becomes guesswork. Think of it as the foundation of your child’s behavior support journey; without it, the plan may crumble.
2. Clear, Measurable Goals
Once you understand the “why” behind behaviors, the next step is setting goals. These aren’t vague wishes like “improve classroom behavior.” They need to be specific, such as: “Johnny will use a calm-down strategy three out of four times when frustrated.” Goals like this allow progress to be tracked and celebrated.
This is also where the PBSP aligns with an Individualized Education Program if your child receives special education services. Integrating goals into both documents ensures consistency across teachers, therapists, and family members. That way, everyone works toward the same outcomes with a clear roadmap.
3. Positive Behavior Support Tools and Strategies
Parents often feel stuck when their child repeatedly displays difficult behavior, like refusing to follow directions or having meltdowns in public. This is a common challenge, but it doesn’t mean change is impossible.
Positive Behavior Support tools make a big difference in these situations. Tools may include visual schedules, token reward systems, or positive behavior videos that model coping strategies. These aren’t one-size-fits-all gimmicks. They’re designed to address the specific triggers identified in the FBA. For example, a visual schedule can reduce anxiety by showing what comes next, while a token system provides immediate reinforcement for positive actions.
By matching tools to your child’s needs, you turn difficult situations into teachable moments. Over time, these supports encourage lasting behavior change rather than short-term compliance.
4. Preventive Behavioral Interventions
Another key part of a PBSP is focusing on prevention. Behavioral interventions aren’t just about stopping a meltdown once it happens—they’re about reducing the likelihood of it happening in the first place. That might mean adjusting the environment, changing how you give instructions, or offering program modifications to make tasks more manageable.
For instance, a child struggling with math may benefit from specifically designed instruction that breaks problems into smaller steps. Preventive strategies like these reduce frustration and help your child stay engaged. This proactive focus is what makes Positive Behavior Support practices stand out from traditional behavior management systems, which often rely too heavily on punishment.
5. Support for School Personnel
Parents aren’t the only ones who need guidance; teachers and staff play a big role, too. Effective PBSPs include support for school personnel, such as training in de-escalation techniques or coaching on how to implement interventions consistently. When everyone is on the same page, your child receives the same message across environments.
Some schools even use frameworks like the Pyramid Model, which is a tiered approach for promoting social-emotional development while addressing common autistic behaviors in inclusive classrooms. By building these supports into the plan, schools ensure no one is left guessing what to do in a tough moment.
6. Collaboration With Related Services
Your child’s PBSP may also connect with other related services, like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling. These services often address the underlying skills your child needs to succeed with behavior goals. For example, a speech therapist might work on teaching replacement phrases for a child who screams when frustrated, while an occupational therapist might provide sensory breaks to prevent overload.
Including these supports ensures that the PBSP doesn’t exist in isolation. Instead, it becomes part of a broader support network tailored to your child’s unique needs.
7. Documentation and Review
A PBSP isn’t static and should grow with your child. That’s why documentation is so important. Schools often tie PBSPs to the IEP document, which outlines behavior intervention plans and progress-monitoring procedures. This section ensures that changes are tracked, and parents are updated regularly.
In Georgia, groups like the Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support provide resources and training for families and schools to strengthen these practices. National organizations like the Association for Positive Behavior Support also share research and best practices to keep plans current. Leaders in the field, such as Dr Daniel Crimmins, Director of the Centre for Leadership in Disability, emphasize the need for ongoing evaluation and adjustment.
Closing Thoughts
A strong Positive Behavior Support Plan helps your child thrive by creating a support system that fosters real growth. When combined with behavioral interventions, related services, and consistent documentation, your child gains a structure that makes success more likely at every stage and setting.
As a parent, being part of this process means you’re not only helping to manage today’s challenges but also laying the foundation for tomorrow’s achievements. With the right plan in place, behavior struggles can turn into opportunities for skill-building, resilience, and confidence.
