INFORMATION SHEET

Positive Behaviour Support Planning: Part 3

This information sheet is a practical tool to All our information sheets are
support family carers to understand how to available to download free of charge
reduce challenging behaviour. It explains what because we believe that money
should not be a barrier to getting the
Positive Behaviour Support is, what a Behaviour
information you need, when you need
Support Plan is, why it is useful and how to it.
create one.
The CBF relies on the support of our
It also describes a wide range of behaviour friends and colleagues to continue to
strategies you could include in a Behaviour provide free resources to families.
Support Plan. Example copies of Behaviour
Support Plans are included which demonstrate Please see below for details of how to
different formats for plans and highlight support us.
information to include.

Positive Behaviour Support Planning is the third information sheet in this series. It is
recommended that it is read alongside Understanding Challenging Behaviour: Part 1 and
Finding the Causes of Challenging Behaviour: Part 2.

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an approach that is used to support behaviour

change in a child or adult with a learning disability. Unlike traditional methods used, the
focus is not on fixing the person or on the challenging behaviour itself and never uses
punishment as a strategy for dealing with challenging behaviour. PBS is based upon the
principle that if you can teach someone a more effective and more acceptable behaviour
than the challenging one, the challenging behaviour will reduce.

PBS suggests challenging behaviours are learned, and so are open to being changed.
PBS teaches alternative behaviour and changes the environment to support the person
well. There is nothing wrong with wanting attention, to escape from a difficult situation,
wanting certain items, or displaying behaviours which just feel good. PBS helps people to
get the life they need by increasing the number of ways of achieving these things: for
example, by developing communication skills.

PBS helps people to learn new skills. For new skills to be used regularly, they have to be
more effective than the challenging behaviour. We can make this happen by
understanding the reasons people display challenging behaviour, and by making sure the
new behaviours we want to teach are reinforced in the same way.

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What is a Behaviour Support Plan?

A behaviour support plan is a document created to help understand and manage

behaviour in children and adults who have learning disabilities and display behaviour that
others find challenging.

A Behaviour Support Plan provides carers with a step by step guide to making sure the
person not only has a great quality of life but also enables carers to identify when they
need to intervene to prevent an episode of challenging behaviour.

A good behaviour support plan is based on the results of a functional assessment and
uses Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches. The plan contains a range of
strategies which not only focus on the challenging behaviour(s) but also include ways to
ensure the person has access to things that are important to them. The strategies used
are referred to as Proactive Strategies and Reactive Strategies.

Proactive strategies are intended to make sure the person has got what they need
and want on a day to day basis and also includes ways to teach the person
appropriate communication and life skills.

Reactive strategies are designed to keep the person and those around them safe
from harm. They provide a way to react quickly in a situation where the person is
distressed or anxious and more likely to display challenging behaviour.

A good behaviour support plan has more Proactive strategies than Reactive ones. This
helps to ensure that the focus of the plan is not just on the challenging behaviour but
provides ways to support the person to have a good life, enabling the person to learn
better, more effective ways of getting what they need.

Who is it for?

A behaviour support plan is for individuals who regularly display challenging behaviour to
the extent that it severely impacts on their life. For example, it may result in exclusion from
places like schools, day centres and mainstream community activities e.g. swimming pool.

A behaviour support plan can be developed and used at any age. The earlier challenging
behaviour can be understood and strategies put in place to help reduce the behaviours,
the better it is for the person and those caring for them.

Why do you need one?

To help effectively respond to challenging behaviour a good Behaviour Support Plan is

vital. A Behaviour Support Plan aims to reduce the likelihood of challenging behaviour
happening and if used consistently is very successful in supporting the person to find other
ways to communicate their needs.

The emphasis is on preventing the need for challenging behaviour, but also helps carers to
identify when an individual may display challenging behaviour, giving them a chance to

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Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739
 ~3~

intervene before the behaviour escalates. This can avoid a full blown incident of
challenging behaviour.

Everyone has different beliefs about what is right and wrong and how behaviour should
be managed, based on their own experiences and understanding. Using a Behaviour
Support Plan means that everyone consistently uses the same techniques, rather than
everybody doing their own thing based on what they think is best.

Where can it be used and who should use it?

A behaviour support plan should be used in the settings a person goes to: home,
school/college, day service, short breaks/ respite, family members/friends homes, out in
the community or on holiday. Everyone who is supporting the person should follow the
behaviour support plan.

When everyone supporting the person uses the same approaches it helps the
development of more socially acceptable ways of communicating needs. It is useful for
anyone caring for the child or adult to see what is and what isnt working, and enables
carers to adapt or change strategies as necessary.

How to create a behaviour support plan

Ideally a behaviour support plan will be based on the results of a Functional

Assessment which will be carried out by a Clinical Psychologist or behaviour specialist.
Functional assessment is a very useful process that can increase our understanding of an
individuals behaviour that may enable us to make changes in the persons life that will
result in a reduction in challenging behaviour.

If the person you care for has not had a functional assessment, (or is on a waiting list to
get one) you can record the behaviour yourself, using an ABC recording chart to help
identify what the function of behaviour might be. Information from completed recording
charts can help to identify strategies to include on the Behaviour Support Plan. Thinking
about what already works is also very useful.

The following eight steps will help you get started:

Step 1: Challenging Behaviour

The first thing to think about is the behaviour(s) that you want to address. It is helpful to
record four things about the challenging behaviour:
appearance what the behaviour looks like
rate - how often it occurs
severity - how severe the behaviour is
duration - how long it lasts.

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For example:

Ben punches his nose with his left hand. He does this most days, but it happens more
frequently when he feels unwell, tired or not understood. Ben often breaks the skin and
draws blood, resulting in needing medical help. Depending on the reason he is doing this it
can happen once or repeatedly for 10 minutes or more.

Step 2: Functions of the challenging behaviour

This section should describe the function(s) of the behaviour (the reason the behaviour
happens) which will come under one of the following categories:

Social attention
Escape/avoidance
Tangible
Sensory

When writing a behaviour support plan you will be thinking about which strategies could be
put in place to help the person. You will also need to try to relate these to the different
functions of behaviour that you have identified.

The strategies you choose should be different depending on the function of the behaviour.

Take the example of a person hitting care staff.

If the person is trying to get your Attention by hitting:

Teach the person how they can get your attention/the attention of others in a more
appropriate way. This could be by teaching them a sign, a vocalisation or to gently
tap your hand/arm
Make sure you notice when the person is trying to get your attention appropriately
and respond as soon as you can. This will help to reinforce the behaviour you want
If the person goes to hit you, use a phrase such as Gently or Hands down.
Teach the person what this means
Interact with the person regularly, giving them plenty of opportunity to get positive
attention
Where possible ignore the hitting

If the person hits others to Escape/Avoid something or someone:

Give the person an effective way to stop something they dont like; to remove them
from a situation or person they dont like. This could be a sign/word or photo card to
say Finish or Home
Teach them to make choices and a way to say yes and no
Introduce them to a situation/activity gradually to help them become used to it
Use humour as a way to distract the person
Notice when they are displaying early warning signs that they may be becoming
unhappy or anxious
Change the way you ask them to do something

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When the person hits others to get something Tangible:

Teach the person how to communicate they want a drink/toy/DVD etc.
Give them what theyve asked for as soon as theyve asked appropriately. Give lots
of praise. Make sure they have regular access to what they need
Teach them how to get something for themselves where possible. Make sure the
person knows where their magazines are kept or that juice is found in the fridge and
make sure there is a cup in a cupboard they can easily reach
Make sure they are not left without food or drink for too long, or without something
meaningful to do (offer these regularly)
As far as possible ignore the hitting
If the situation escalates and people are at risk give them what they want

Where a person hits to get their Sensory needs met:

Ask for a referral to a specialist Occupational Therapist (OT) who can do a sensory
assessment to clarify specific sensory needs
Be creative! Get a drum, box, cushion or other thing that they could hit
Try out different objects to see which they prefer, then use these to create new
activities
Use preferred items to help you engage with the person
Make sure the person can get their sensory needs met, but in a way that will not
isolate them further or leave them engaging in a self-stimulatory behaviour for too
long. If people have self-stimulatory activities that are very important to them, try
and support them to have at least some meaningful routine/structure in their day, so
that the self-stimulatory behaviour doesnt take over

For more information about what a functional assessment is and further description of the functions
of behaviour see the CBFs information sheet Finding the causes of challenging behaviour

Stages of behaviour
A format which has been found to be particularly useful in helping carers to understand the different
stages of behaviour is based on a Traffic light system:

Green = calm & relaxed

Amber = anxious, aroused or distressed

Red = incident!

Blue = calming down - but still need to be

careful

Colour coding a behaviour support plan using this format can be a very useful way of
clarifying the different stages of the behaviour. Using the traffic signal analogy, an
individuals behaviour moves from typical behaviour (green), to a level that indicates that
problems are about to occur (amber) prior to the occurrence of the behaviour itself (red).
After the behaviour (blue) care must be taken to ensure that the person returns to the green
phase. This format enables carers to more easily identify when they could intervene to
prevent behaviour escalating into an episode of challenging behaviour.
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Step 3: Proactive Green strategies

Proactive strategies are the green part of the Behaviour Support Plan and aim to support
the child or adult to stay happy and calm. Proactive Strategies are designed to meet the
persons needs without them needing to rely on challenging behaviour. This part of the
plan should include any strategies that are aimed at reducing the chances that the
behaviour will happen, and should focus on all aspects of the persons life including
keeping healthy and fit, (as opposed to just focusing on the challenging behaviour).

Begin by thinking about what the person likes or has shown an interest in. Consult with the
person directly whenever possible and also try and talk to people that know the person
well and are really interested and enthusiastic about them. The longer the likes list the
better!

The aim is to try and support the person to stay in this phase as much as possible. It is
important to think about what it is that helps the person to feel calm and relaxed, such as:
Environment
Communication & body language
Preferred activity or object or person
Predictable routine and structure
Feeling well and happy
Interaction styles how do you talk to the person?

Put boundaries in place to teach the person what is and isnt acceptable in different
situations. For example, masturbating is acceptable in the persons bedroom but not in the
family sitting room or out in public.

The green phase is a good time to teach new skills, develop effective ways of
communicating and use rewards and incentives to reinforce the behaviour that you want.
Think about what the person looks like or does that lets you know that they are in this
phase:

She will smile and giggle a lot when she is happy. She interacts with people more when
she is mellow and may try to get them involved by gently hitting her thighs in a particular
rhythm which she expects them to copy or clapping.

Step 4: Early Warning Signs Amber strategies

This part of the plan will describe what to do in response to the early warning signs, to help
you intervene as early as possible, before the person resorts to challenging behaviour.

Behaviours are often described as being spontaneous (It happened without any
warning). However, assessment may reveal that the person shows some reliable signals
that all is not well prior to engaging in the behaviour.

These signals may be subtle, but will often include observable signs such as increased
pacing, changes in vocalisations, facial expressions or body language. By clearly defining
the behaviours seen at the amber stage, carers can be cued in to the need to take
immediate action, and thereby avoid moving on to red. Many episodes of challenging
behaviour occur because the early warning signs are not recognised or because we fail to

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Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739
 ~7~

change our own behaviour once the signs become evident.

Amber strategies: At this stage the person may be starting to feel anxious or distressed
and there is a chance that he/she may challenge you in some way. Here we need to take
quick action to support the person to return to the Green Proactive phase as quickly as
possible to prevent behavioural escalation.

Things that can help:

Take away the trigger
Not responding to, or ignoring the behaviour
Giving in giving the person what they want
Humour sing something, dance on the table! use your imagination
Redirecting/distracting
Asking what is wrong (look at the context of the time of day, where the person is
etc.)

Again, think about what the person you care for looks like when they are becoming
agitated. For example:

She shows angry facial expressions and she does not smile. She will start to aggressively
pull at the flannel/paper that is in her hands and find more things to hold in the same hand.
If you asked for something that she is holding when she is in amber behaviour, she will not
give it to you.

Step 5: Reactive Red Strategies

A reactive plan describes what you should do, or how you should react, in response to
challenging behaviour. Reactive strategies are a way to manage behaviour as safely and
quickly as possible, to keep the person and those around them safe.

Ideally a reactive plan should include step-by-step advice on how to reduce the chance
that the challenging behaviour will escalate and put people at risk. It should be informed by
a functional assessment and guided by the principle of implementing the least intrusive
and least restrictive intervention first.

More restrictive interventions (such as physical restraint) should be a last resort.

Physical interventions, and medication that is used solely to calm people down, are
generally not considered a good long-term solution. Use of these should be recorded to
help identify when to review the plan.

Please see the Challenging Behaviour Foundation information sheets

Physical Interventions for Challenging Behaviour and The Use of Medication in the Treatment of
Challenging Behaviour for more information on these subjects

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Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739
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Red strategies: This is where challenging behaviour occurs and we need to do something
quickly to achieve safe and rapid control over the situation to prevent unnecessary distress
and injury.

Appear calm
Use low arousal approaches talk in a calm, monotone voice
Do not make prolonged eye contact
Be aware of your own body language
Do not make any demands of the person or keep talking to them
Distraction and redirection (e.g. using a technique such as a guided walk to remove
the person from the room to keep them and others safe)

When the behaviour escalates to RED and an incident of challenging behaviour is

occurring, the signs will be much more obvious than in the amber phase e.g.

She bangs her head on the door/wall in the house or the headrest/window in the car.

Step 6: Post Incident Support Blue Strategies

This section should specify the procedures to be followed after an incident for both the
person and their carers.

For the person, this section should specify any immediate behavioural actions that need to
be implemented following incidents for example:
giving the person more space
engaging in an activity
procedures for ensuring their physical and emotional safety (e.g., via physical
checks and supportive counseling/reassurance giving).
Procedures for carers in terms of any immediate medical checks and emotional
support

Blue strategies: This is where the incident is over and the person is starting to recover
and become calm and relaxed again. We still need to be careful here as there is a risk of
behaviour escalating again quickly.

Make no demands
Help the person to recover
Move to different environment if appropriate

When a person is calming down and recovering from an incident of challenging behaviour,
think about what they look like and what they do or sound like. For example:

She makes a noise that sounds similar to uuuuuuuu, in a questioning voice while quickly
moving just the top of her head from left to right. She may give eye contact or raise her
eyebrows while doing this.

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Step 7: Agreeing the Plan

Behaviour Support Plans should be created with input from all people involved with the
persons care, including family carers, and whenever possible, the person should also be
involved in this process. The plan should record who has been involved in its discussion
and agreement, to ensure a broad range of views have been taken into account.

Step 8: Reviewing the plan

Behaviour Support Plans should be living documents. This means that information in the
plan should change to reflect changes in the persons behaviour or an increase in other
skills.

Plans should be regularly reviewed and updated (for example. every 6 months) as once
risks have been identified and behaviour strategies agreed to help minimise those risks, it
is important to get feedback of how effective the strategies are and to reflect on their
impact on the person and those caring for them.

However, there should also be a contingency plan with clear guidelines when the plan
should be reviewed more urgently if required. For example, the Plan should be reviewed if
self-injury increases or if physical interventions/reactive strategies (such as restraint or
PRN medication) are being used regularly.

Example behaviour support plans

In the next section we have included three example behaviour support plans. Two of the
plans are designed around specific behaviours - coping with car journeys and difficulties
with food. The third behaviour support plan is based on the traffic light format and
addresses a number of behaviours.

Appendix 1: Example 1 Behaviour Support Plan to help with car journeys

Appendix 2: Example 2 Behaviour Support Plan around food
Appendix 3: Example 3 Gabriels traffic light Behaviour Support Plan

With thanks to:

Mark Addison, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Rapid Intervention Team, Somerset

Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust

Tony Osgood, Lecturer in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, Tizard Centre,

University of Kent

Pippa McIntyre and Lisa Kenn, Family Carers

All images in this information sheet are Microsoft Clip Art. Used with permission from Microsoft.

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Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739
 ~ 10 ~
Appendix 1

My difficult situation Behaviours I might display

Car journeys, especially when: Early warning signs :

Tense mouth
We have to stop at a red light Face looks tense
We get stuck in traffic I will ignore you if
We take an unfamiliar route you try to talk to
I misunderstand where we are going me
I dont know where were going I will start to rock
back and forward

If the early warning signs are not noticed I may:

Rock back and forward violently
Try to get out of my seat
Bang my head against the windows
Try to pull the drivers hair, pull at their
clothes, or anything else I can reach
Try to kick the driver
Scream and shout at the top of my voice
Throw anything that is within reach in the
car

What you can do to avoid this difficult situation What can you do if I display challenging
behaviour
Make sure I know exactly where we are
going and remind me throughout the When I am showing early warning signs:
journey Remind me where we are going
Give me a picture/symbol card of where we Make sure I have hold of my picture card
are going so I can hold on to this to remind to remind me where were going
myself throughout the journey Play my favourite music to try and distract
Slowly talk me through what will happen on me
the route first we will go past the Tell me about the fun things we are going
cinema to do when we get to our destination
Take familiar routes whenever possible If the situation has escalated:
If we have to go on a an unfamiliar road, Talk in a calm voice
warn me beforehand Dont use too many words
Provide a running If you can work out where I think we are
commentary of going (that is distressing me), tell me
the journey, e.g., if where we are really going
were coming up If I am trying to pull your hair/pull at your
to a red light, say clothes, say sit on your hands
red for stop, of if If I am banging my head on the window or
were approaching getting very distressed, find a safe place to
a queue of traffic stop, help me out of the car
say were going to stop behind this car Do not continue the journey until I can sit
If something happens to alter the route talk calmly
me through this too Afterwards:
Play my favourite music to distract me Continue the journey, calmly talking me
through what is happening

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Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739
 ~ 11 ~

Appendix 2

My difficult situation Behaviours I might display

Being given foods I dont like, including: Early warning signs :

Pursed mouth
Butter Face looks tense
Cheese I will not engage with you
Fish pie I will wring my hands/pick at my fingers
Milk I will vocalise nah (translates as No)
Eggs I will sign dont like/dont give me
Bananas
Ice cream If the early warning signs are not noticed I may:
Chicken Repeatedly sign No and may sign I dont
Mashed Potato like butter eggs cheese fish/list foods I
Sandwiches dont like repeatedly
Start to cry
uncontrollably and
shout nah nah nah
repeatedly
Attempt to hit or kick
Wet or soil myself
What you can do to avoid this difficult What can you do if I display challenging
situation behaviour

Make sure you know what I do and dont When I am showing early warning signs:
like to eat, review this regularly as I may Reassure me that I dont have to eat it
change my mind If there is nothing I want to eat suggest we
Ask me what I would like go to the shop and find something I do like
Give me choices and respect my choices Use humour to distract me: sign Never
Dont just expect me to eat what others are give me .. and say it in a deep, funny
eating cross sounding voice with a pretend cross
Actively involve me in choosing meals, face
buying, preparing and cooking. When we Ask me what I think of I will reply
are shopping encourage me to look for Eugh you repeat Eugh this makes me
foods on the laugh
shelves, put them in If the situation has escalated:
basket, put them on Talk in a calm voice
the conveyor belt at Dont use too many words
the till, put the Dont offer me alternative food until I have
shopping in bags calmed down
and paying If I put my hand up as if I am going to
Work on skills to slap/hit you say Hands down or move
teach me to cook foods that I do like away from me and just say Let me know
Give me opportunities to try foods if I want when you feel calmer
to Afterwards:
I like different foods so help me to look for Put some music on and give me a drink
foods and meals to make from other and small snack - grapes or a couple of
countries look in magazines, the internet, chocolates
shops, ask people be creative Give me a hug if I want you to

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Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739
 ~ 12 ~
Appendix 3
Gabriels Green Strategy

Support strategies Behaviour

The things that we can do or say to keep What Gabriel does, says and looks like
Gabriel in the green for as much time as that gives us clues that he is calm and
possible. relaxed.
Give Gabriel regular positive feedback Gabriel will smile and laugh
and encouragement He will happily make eye contact
Always try to use positive language and will communicate with you
even when he is doing something you and respond positively
would rather he didnt e.g. oh that is He will initiate contact and want to
mummys precious book, lets find your join in with what others are doing.
book He will bounce up and down on
Use simple, clear language his knees
Make sure that Gabriel has the His body language will be relaxed
opportunity to do something outside of He may move around quite fast
the house at least once a day whilst making an eeeeeeeeeeee
Support Gabriel to access what he kind of sound
wants using his PECS system or with He may dance
his tablet He will bang his object on the floor
Make sure that at least once an hour He will blow raspberries on
you spend some one to one time with himself and others
Gabriel e.g. reading a book, a He will do roly polys!
massage
Make sure that Gabriel has his chewy
tube to carry around
Make sure that if you have to ask him
for his chewy tube for a certain period
of time e.g. meal time/bath that you tell
him clearly when he will get it back e.g.
dinner and then chewy tube
Regularly practise using the PECS
system with Gabriel
Give Gabriel plenty of opportunity to
walk independently and make sure if
out for a walk as a family/group you go
somewhere where he is going to have
this opportunity
Give Gabriel plenty of time to process
what you have said to him before
asking again
Make sure that Gabriel has all his
medication so that he does not
become constipated
Give plenty of opportunity to listen to
music

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 ~ 13 ~

Gabriels Amber Strategy

Support strategies Behaviour

The things that we can do or say to stop the What Gabriel does, says and looks like that
situation from escalating further and return gives us clues that he is becoming anxious
Gabriel to the proactive phase as soon as or aroused.
possible.
Ask Gabriel if he would like help with Gabriel will shout
whatever it is he is struggling with or He will clench his fists and vocalise
trying to access in a high pitched voice. He will
Offer to scratch his back usually adopt a W sitting position at
Ask him to blow a raspberry on your these times
hand/arm He will come and seek you out if you
Support him to access what he wants are not in the same room
with his PECS system or through He may become tearful and want to
MAKATON sit on your lap
Try to distract Gabriel by offering an He will shake the stair gate
activity e.g. listening to music, playing He will cast things
drums or reading a book He will be unwilling to engage in
Initiate some rough and tumble play positive communication
with Gabriel He will appear distracted and will be
Place Gabriel in an upside down unable to concentrate or make eye
position or swing him around whilst contact
supporting him under his arms with He will lay his head on the side of the
his head against your chest sofa
Ask him if he wants a bath
Ask him if he wants to go to his room
and play his drums
Cuddle up with the cuddle blanket
Watch live music videos on the iPad
Sing songs with Gabriel or make
funny noises e.g. animal noises
Distract Gabriel with some different
toys or read a book with him
Tickle him
Bouncing on the trampoline

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 ~ 14 ~

Gabriels Red Strategy

Support strategies Behaviour

The things that we can do or say to quickly What Gabriel does, says and looks like
manage the situation and to prevent when he is challenging.
unnecessary distress, injury and
destruction.
Stay calm and reassure Gabriel that Gabriel will rock against furniture or
you are going to help him. the door etc.
Make sure only one person talks at a Gabriel will vocalise in a way which
time. sounds like a high pitched growl or a
If Gabriel is seeking to comfort very loud shout.
himself by banging his head He may be crying.
encourage him to cuddle his teddy He will cast objects.
bear instead. He will bang his head on the floor or
Distract Gabriel with a favoured against the furniture.
object. He may come up to you and bang his
If he is seeking sensory feedback head on you e.g. on your knee.
encourage him to bang his hands or His body language will be very tense.
feet instead. He will usually be sitting bolt upright.
If he is pulling hair or pinching etc He may hit himself on the head with
say to him kind hands and support a closed fist.
him to stroke hair or arms etc. He may pull hair, pinch or slap bare
Say LOOK in a really excited voice skin.
and then distract him with a chosen Gabriel may become very clingy and
object. will want continual contact.
Dont make reference to the
behaviour but stop him doing it. For
example if he is hitting himself take
his hand and say high 5

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation. Registered charity no. 1060714. www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk

Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739
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Gabriels Blue Strategy

Support strategies Behaviour

The things that we can do or say to support What Gabriel does, says and looks like
Gabriel to become more calm again and that tells us that he is becoming more
return to the proactive phase. calm

Have a cuddle with the cuddle blanket His posture will become more
Offer a massage or scratchy back. relaxed
Make sure Gabriel has a preferred He will make more eye contact and
object will interact with you
Gabriels blue phase appears to be He will seek out attention from a
fairly quick and once he has had a few preferred person
of minutes of recovery he is usually
back in the green phase The
exception to this is when he has been
struggling to communicate what he
wants. In these circumstances wait
until he is calm and communicative
and support him using PECS or
MAKATON to access what he wants

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation

We are the charity for people with severe learning disabilities who display
challenging behaviour. We make a difference to the lives of children and
adults across the UK by:
Providing information about challenging behaviour
Organising peer support for family carers and professionals
Giving information and support by phone or email
Running workshops which reduce challenging behaviour

To access our information and support, call 01634 838739, email

info@thecbf.org.uk, or visit our website: www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk

If you have found this information useful, please consider making a donation.

You can show your support at www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk

Make a 5 donation by texting CBFD055 to 70070
Or email us to get involved at support-us@thecbf.org.uk

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation. Registered charity no. 1060714. www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk

Registered office: The Old Courthouse, New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BE. Tel. 01634 838739