Neuro-affirming, Strengths-based Positive Behaviour Support

A human-centred, individualised approach that empowers people living with disability

At Banksia Support Services, we don’t believe one size fits all. We care about creating meaningful change so our clients and their caregivers can feel regulated and safe within themselves, and in their communities. With us, everyone is respected for who they are, from birth to adulthood.

Every human being has the right to more options!

Banksia’s person-centred, human rights-focused approach to Positive Behaviour support is just that — human.

We stand with you to support your rights, protections and freedoms as a human being. That means we seek to phase out and end restrictive practices for all people in a safe and respectful way.

Because everyone deserves to live a meaningful life on their own terms.

It’s time for neuro affirming Positive Behaviour Support that delivers on its promises.

When we say we provide neuro affirming PBS, we mean it. For us, neuro affirming, strengths-based positive behaviour support means we focus on understanding and meeting an individual's unique needs rather than trying to change or suppress behaviours that are natural expressions of their neurology. We don't recommend compliance-based strategies, we prioritise autonomy, emotional regulation, and meaningful skill development, ensuring that individuals feel safe, understood, and respected.

Our approach avoids punitive or deficit-based methods and instead fosters genuine engagement, reducing distress and enhancing quality of life.

In other words, we have no agenda and we meet you where you’re at.

We’re all about empowering our clients and families to find their way in the world. We do that by applying multiple evidence-based frameworks, trauma-informed care practices, and neurobiological and developmental approaches.

This means we can best understand you and your needs. And it helps us work with you to create safe, real-world opportunities for skills development that build personal capacity and confidence.

Backed by…

NDIS Approved

My practitioners are highly-skilled, NDIS registered and endorsed as  Specialist level against the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission PBS Practitioner Capability suitability assessment.  

Evidence-based frameworks

My support abides by and champions methods and information backed by the latest research and evidence

such as the Low Arousal Approach, the Neurosequential Model™, DIRⓇ Floortime, and more.

Inspired by lived experience

Banksia’s approach is informed by Founder Amy Hall’s 20 years of lived experience supporting hundreds of families in the Illawarra region of NSW.

How it works

What real-world support looks like

At Banksia, we believe interpreting behaviour as a form of communication is key to successful positive behaviour support in the real world.

This video from the Autism Association of Western Australia that explains how human-centred Positive Behaviour Support is the best-practice approach to help people with behaviours that may be challenging. And yes, it follows the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework, endorsed by the NDIS.

Our answers to your common questions

  • Positive behaviour support aims to help people displaying complex behaviours live their best life. As Behaviour Support Practitioners, we seek to understand the unmet needs showing through behaviour and create a plan of strategies for the participant.  This easy read information sheet provides plenty more information for you.

  • The answer to this question varies depending who you ask. People don’t believe positive behaviour support is neuro affirming, because it’s a branch of Applied Behaviour Analysis, which we believe is the opposite of neuro affirming. For us, it means we do not do one size fits all. 

    We take a person-centered approach that values and respects neurodiversity. Neuro-affirming, strengths-based positive behaviour support means we focus on understanding and meeting an individual's unique needs rather than trying to change or suppress behaviours that are natural expressions of their neurology.

    We recognize that all behaviour is communication, and that people thrive when they are supported in ways that align with their strengths, preferences, and sensory needs. We don't recommend compliance-based strategies, we prioritise autonomy, emotional regulation, and meaningful skill development, ensuring that individuals feel safe, understood, and respected.

    Our approach avoids punitive or deficit-based methods and instead fosters genuine engagement, reducing distress and enhancing quality of life. We work in partnership with individuals, their families, and support networks to create environments where they can flourish, using strategies that are ethical, affirming, and aligned with their values and identities.

  • The relationship between Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and neuro-affirming behaviour support is complex and highly debated. Many Autistic individuals and advocates argue that traditional ABA practices are not neuro-affirming because they often focus on compliance, masking, and reducing Autistic traits rather than understanding and supporting neurodivergent needs. In this sense, ABA—particularly in its traditional form—can be seen as the opposite of neuro-affirming behaviour support.

    However, it's important to acknowledge that not all behaviour support based on behavioural principles is inherently non-affirming.  At Banksia, we take an approach informed by Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) that is person-centred, consent-based, and does not aim to suppress natural expressions of neurodiversity.

    Key Differences:

    Traditional ABA: Historically focuses on modifying behaviour using rewards and consequences, often aiming to increase "socially acceptable" behaviours while discouraging or extinguishing neurodivergent traits. Critics argue this can lead to masking, trauma, and loss of autonomy.

    Neuro-affirming behaviour support: Recognises that all behaviour is communication, respects autonomy, and focuses on adapting environments rather than changing the individual. It uses strengths-based strategies that support emotional regulation, sensory needs, and authentic self-expression.

  • Whilst positive behaviour support and psychology are both disciplines focused on enhancing the quality of life for the participant, the two vary in their approach. Psychology casts a wider focus as it supports an individual’s mind and behaviour; whereas positive behaviour support specialises in changing behaviours through evidence-led, practical strategies.

  • The truth is that it really varies — after all, beings grow and evolve in their own time. Results generally tend to depend on the participant and the consistency of implementation of the Behaviour Support Plan’s strategies. Add in: What we do guarantee is the relationship with our clients is long term. We're there for the long haul, because results and outcomes are dynamic.

  • Yes, positive behaviour support can help reduce complex challenging behaviours such as self-harm and aggression. If you need immediate support for you, or an individual who has harmed themselves, please contact Lifeline, 24/7 on 131114.

  • Positive behaviour support funding is funded under the ‘Improved Relationships’ category of NDIS Capacity Building support. Here’s more information about how to access your support through NDIS funding.

Real world reviews

  • “...We would be lost with Amy …”

    “I first met Amy five years ago. Amy helped us to navigate a somewhat difficult world — especially as grandparents caring for children with major issues. She provided us with good, sound knowledge, great information, and she delivered it in a really personal way that made us feel confident with what we were doing. She's enabled us to understand, to learn, and to work closely in a really meaningful manner. Our kids are going fine. We have our daily battles. We have some big ones every now and then, but Amy is always there. A text message, a quick phone call, great resource material, and having her support has made the difference for us being able to continue on this journey or failing. Our children are going really well. My husband and I are going really well. And that knowledge that Amy has, the way in which she delivers that knowledge, the straight talking, common sense way in which she delivers that knowledge, has enabled us to learn the skills that we need to help the boys. We would be lost without Amy, and we greatly appreciate her involvement in the past and hopefully for many, many years to come. Thank you.”

    Jenny
    Grandparent & Carer

  • Amy has changed the lives of both my special needs grandson and our family

    Amy Hall from Banksia Support has changed the lives of both my special needs grandson and our family. I was new to the world of both the NDIS and the complex needs of my grandson when I first met with Amy. Amy got straight to work putting together a team of expert therapists and a plan of action. Amy fully explained everything to me in a way I could understand,  very complex diagnoses had been made and without Amy's patience,  understanding and help I believe I would still be struggling in a system that doesn't favour my grandson or our family. My grandson is still being diagnosed with new disorders and Amy is the first to make sure I understand what is happening and why. Amy is a leader; she displays a passion for learning as she goes and making adjustments where needed. The world needs more Amy's,  my family could never thank her enough. My grandson's life has improved 100% because of Amy.

    Karyn Lewis
    Grandparent

  • I would recommend Amy and Banksia Services to anyone, everyone, anyone who's got kids with behavioral difficulties

    My daughter is severely autistic and has extreme behavioural problems. And we have had the immense pleasure to be working with Amy hall and Banksia Services for quite a number of years now. Like eight, maybe 10 years. And to be honest, Amy has changed our lives. She has utterly changed our lives. She has gone above and beyond her role, her job to make sure that myself and my daughter get the best care and support that we can possibly get. Amy knows her stuff. You know, she's an advocate, she's a bulldog. She will go to the mat and she'll fight for, you know, these kids rights. And, you know, from the bottom of my heart, I just say, Amy, thank you. Thank you so much. It's always a pleasure working with you. I always learn stuff. You know, it's so collaborative. You know, we all work together and you have. You have changed my life and especially my daughter’s life. I would recommend Amy and Banksia Services to anyone, everyone, anyone who's got kids with behavioral difficulties. You know, my daughters were very extreme and Amy didn't blink. You know, Amy was just in it with everything. And, you know, it's so important to get the best help that we can get for our kids and someone like Amy is the best. So, yeah, absolutely. Recommend them to anyone, anywhere. And from the bottom of my heart, Amy, thank you. I love you. You're amazing. And, yeah, you've. You've changed our lives for that. So much better, so much better. So thanks.

    Kirsten Bindoff

Questions? Let’s answer them 

We truly believe you deserve to find more answers so you can live a full life.

If you’re after real-world information about Positive Behaviour Support, useful tools to help you at home, or need access to evidence-based practitioner resources, we’ve got you covered.