Home

There are many things that most of us take for granted such as relaxing in front of the TV in the evenings, having a meal, brushing teeth or having a shower, interacting with siblings and going to bed. However, this may not be that simple for some families as many individuals with additional support needs often struggle in these areas. As many hours are spent at home, supported by caregivers rather than professionals, structuring the home environment can be overwhelming.

When a client comes to us, their families are usually dealing with behaviours of concern, issues regarding independent living skills and structuring family life. The client may present with behaviours which can affect the whole social fabric of the family. For instance, they may be afraid to bring guests to the house because of embarrassment by behaviours like spilling drinks, grabbing or repetitive vocalisations.

Behaviour Detectives helps to find suitable strategies for the home environment and provides parental coaching. With the help of our trained therapists, caregivers can implement the behaviours support plan to reduce behaviours of concern, overcome deficits in the area of independent living skills and identify suitable leisure activities. Whereas at times, Behaviour Detectives places the emphasis on understanding that certain behaviours are part of the person, rather than creating behaviour change.

School

Going to school is usually part of a child’s daily routine and every child has the right to an education. Unfortunately, many children with additional support needs only access school on reduced hours. When a client presents with behavioural problems at home, the difficulties often extend into school. Behaviours of concern can become unmanageable in the school environment resulting in reduced school attendance and separation from their peers. 

Children can be sent home adding to an already stressful situation. The reintegration into the school and classroom setting can be a slow process and it is best to meet the child’s needs. The emphasis is placed on teaching the skills that help to access the curriculum and overcome the obstacles preventing it.

Behaviour Detectives has worked with many dedicated school principals and well-experienced teachers who have started doubting their skills and capabilities. We help to explain the more complex nuances of behaviour change such as reinforcement schedules, prior reinforcement history, extinction, spontaneous recovery and the importance of replacement behaviours.

The aim is to give back confidence to the teaching staff and provide guidance in managing the classroom environment. Behaviour Detectives motto, when collaborating with schools, is that our job is to look after the behaviours of concern and provide a safe environment for learning. Therefore, the school can focus on teaching and nurturing the child’s development.

Community

The majority of us enjoys going to the cinema, visiting coffee shops, participating in club activities and being able to do the weekly shop. As with school, the behaviours of concern may jeopardise the physical safety of the person or others and are likely to limit the access to ordinary community facilities. 

Due to reduced ability to cope with everyday demands such as waiting, accepting change and tolerating when something is not available can affect inclusion and lead to isolation. Difficulties with transitioning are also common and often create barriers for participating in leisure skills such as being able to go to the seaside or swimming pool.

Behaviour Detectives emphasises the importance of overcoming barriers, bringing the client into the community and developing functional daily living skills. The aim is to find an activity the person is good at and a community that would welcome diversity in order to enhance personal wellbeing.

Providing community access avoids developing a sheltered world that the individual cannot leave. Furthermore, the goals set for home and school can be generalised to promote community inclusion improving the quality of life for the client and caregivers. The goals and targets are chosen to enhance skill development and reducing obstacles, eventually getting the person back to the pool or seaside.