Volume 9, Number 1, April 2021

Improving sociality through positive behaviour support
by Clare Coppock

Abstract
Young people with intellectual disabilities may present with behaviour that is construed as challenging by those around them. This paper aims to explore behaviour as a form of communication that occurs in response to patterns of construal and anticipation of events. This paper will summarise ways in which the principles of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) can be used by caregivers in order to develop an understanding of the construal processes of their young people. Using this approach can support the improvement of sociality between caregivers and young people, whilst simultaneously reducing the frequency and severity of incidents of challenging behaviour.

Key words: sociality, challenging behaviour, intellectual disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).