Working with Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: Positive Behaviour Support 

Funding Organisation
 Normal Fee: $580. Funding details available at the Funding page.
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Course Overview

Challenging behaviour can arise for different reasons, often personal to the child or youth with intellectual disability such as hurting himself or hurting others. It makes life more difficult for the person himself and those around him. It is hence critical that social care professionals have the right skills and knowledge to support such people.

 Positive behaviour support (PBS) is a behaviour management system that has increasingly become the model of choice when working with persons with behavioural challenges. It is a multi-component framework used to understand the factors that maintain challenging behaviours; it aims to find the meaning behind the person’s behaviour, and then help them find ways to achieve what they want. PBS uses the techniques of Applied Behaviour Analysis guided by a strong value base and delivered in person-centred ways to fulfill its objectives.

The efficacy of PBS is also strongly supported by recent evidence-based research as demonstrated in numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses (e.g., (Campbell, 2003; Carr et al., 1990, 1999; Didden et al., 1997; 2006; Harvey et al., 2009). 

This full-day workshop is designed for social service professionals working with children and adolescents with moderate to severe challenging behaviours in disability services. It comprises 5 parts: Part A explains the theoretical underpinnings of PBS. Part B explores communication techniques to reduce behaviours of concern. Part C and D discuss the assessments and strategies when working with people with disabilities. Part E concludes the workshop by exploring various considerations when implementing a PBS plan.

This practical workshop is offered in a multi-modal format including immersive and experiential training via role-play, case studies, peer activities, and observation in addition to traditional teaching strategies.

About the Workshop Facilitator
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Dr Lohsnah Jeevanandam is a Clinical Psychologist. She received her Bachelors from the University of Sydney, Australia and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The University of Queensland, Australia. Dr Jeevanandam is also a Registered Psychologist with the Singapore Psychological Society. 

Dr Jeevanandam is a Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore where she teachers, as well as is the placement co-ordinator for the masters in Clinical Psychology programme. She is also Senior Consultant Clinical Psychologist with the Cognitive Health Consultancy International clinic, working largely with children and adolescents. She is also adjunct lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Dr Jeevanandam also conducts numerous trainings and workshops.

​Dr Jeevanandam previously worked at The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore. She also conducted interviews for candidates for the Public Service Commission scholarship for the Civil Service College. Other previous appointments included adjunct lecturer and research supervisor at James Cook University Singapore. 


Target Audience
Target audience includes a broad range of social service professionals who work in the disability fields. This includes psychologists, mental health workers, teachers, therapists, social workers, social work assistants, social work aids, medical professionals, therapy assistants, and direct support workers who work in employment, day programmes and residential programmes.

Duration
1 day (9 am - 5 pm).

Workshop Topics:

Part A: Introduction
  • Key principles of PBS
  • Rights of people with a disability
  • Rights of disability support workers
  • Components of PBS 
    • Values
      • Improving quality of life
      • Developing skills
      • Partnering with social care professionals
    • Theory
      • All behaviour is for a reason, even challenging ones
      • Use of Applied Behaviour Analysis
      • Incorporate other approaches, e.g., occupational therapy
    • Process
      • Based on facts and evidence
      • Formal assessment
      • PBS plan
      • Long-term support
    Video

Part B: Communication Techniques to Reduce Behaviours of Concern 
  • Prompt-free training
  • Incidental teaching, etc.
    Role-play
    Case studies 

Part C: PBS Assessment
  • Functional behaviour assessment
  • Mistaken and alternative interpretations of behaviour
  • Behaviour recording
  • Motivation assessment tool
    Videos
    Role-play

Part D: PBS strategies
  • Changing background factors
  • Skill development strategies
  • Short-term change strategies
  • Immediate response strategies
  • General risk minimising strategies
  • Maintaining self-control
     Videos
     Role-play
     Examples & Skills Practice

Part E: Implementation
  • Infrastructure
  • Resources required
  • Working with stakeholders, etc.

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