Behaviour Management

What is Behaviour Management?

Behaviour Management is a set of techniques, strategies, and practices for influencing and guiding an individual’s behaviour toward positive outcomes. It is commonly used in therapy, education, workplace settings, and parenting to encourage desirable behaviours and reduce unwanted ones. Behaviour management involves identifying ‘triggers’, setting clear expectations, increasing structure and support, reinforcing positive actions, and calmly applying proportional consequences.

Who is Suitable for Behaviour Management?

Behaviour management is suitable for:

• Parents and Caregivers – To guide children's social and emotional development.
• Individuals Seeking Self-Improvement – To build self-discipline and better habits.
• Teachers and Educators – To maintain discipline in classrooms and encourage student engagement.
• Workplace Managers and Leaders – To create a productive and respectful work environment.

Benefits of Behaviour Management

• Promotes Positive Behavior – Encourages individuals to develop good habits and social skills.
• Enhances Self Esteem – Creates successful outcomes, allowing the person to feel good about themselves and their behaviour.
• Reduces Stress and Conflicts – Minimizes disruptive behaviour and misunderstandings.
• Encourages Accountability – Helps individuals take responsibility for their actions.
• Improves Relationships – Builds mutual respect in schools, workplaces, and families.

Methods Used in Behaviour Management

• Wellness and Positive Relationships - When family members are well and enjoying their lives, and when they regularly spend time together in mutually enjoyable ways, behaviour is often best. This sometimes involves getting kids out more, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and reducing reliance on ‘addictive’ behaviours e.g. screens.
• Identifying Triggers – Noticing the situations, conditions, and events that are associated with either better or worse behaviour.
• Clear and Fair Expectations - Knowing exactly what is expected and when/how is key to behavioural change. It also helps if the expectations are matched to the person’s skill and energy levels.
• Setting Conditions for Success - Figuring out what the child/teen needs to succeed, and providing enhanced support and structure as needed (and then gradually reducing scaffolding as skills increase).
• Skill Building - To ‘behave’ well, a person may need explicit instruction and practice in skills such as communication (e.g. manners, asking, listening), emotion regulation, flexibility, and completing the various steps in a routine.
• Emotion Coaching and Validation - Noticing and validating a young person’s emotions not only teaches them about their emotions, but it helps build acceptance and a warm parent-child relationship. With time they learn that emotions are a clue that a problem needs solving.
• Positive Reinforcement – Rewarding desirable behaviour tends to encourage it to occur more often: this can take the form of hugs, praise, quality time, and reward systems. Once a particular behaviour is well-established, the need for rewards generally decreases.
• Natural Consequences - Learning to calmly and consistently apply a negative consequence is usually needed at some stage in behaviour management: for example when the young person does something they shouldn’t, or when they haven’t (yet) done something they’re meant to. Usually it involves removing/reducing a privilege for a while, or delaying access to something they like.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches – Teaching individuals to reframe negative thoughts and make better decisions. There is also often an element of problem-solving, so as to consider the most effective ways to handle common difficulties (i.e. with less stress or disagreement).

Preparation Before Behaviour Management

• Assess the Situation – Identify the specific behaviours that need to be managed and their triggers.
• Set Clear Goals – Determine the desired behaviour changes and establish realistic expectations.
• Understand the Individual’s Needs – Consider age, personality, emotional state, and environmental influences.
• Develop a Strategy – Choose appropriate techniques such as positive reinforcement, rules, and structured routines.
• Communicate Expectations – Clearly explain expected behaviours, consequences, and rewards to the individual.
• Prepare Support Systems – Engage teachers, parents, mentors, or colleagues who can help enforce behaviour management.

What Happens During Behaviour Management Therapy?

• Implementation of Strategies – Techniques such as quality time, positive reinforcement, skill building, scaffolding, and natural consequences are applied.
• Monitoring and Observation – The individual’s behaviour is observed to determine the approach's effectiveness.
• Adjustments if Necessary – Strategies may be modified based on responses to intervention.
• Consistent Feedback and Reinforcement – Encouragement, praise, and appropriate consequences are given based on behaviour.
• Problem-Solving Sessions – Discussions and collaborative solutions may be explored if challenges arise.

What to Expect After Behaviour Management Therapy?

• Short-Term Improvement – Initial behavioural changes may be noticeable, but consistency is key.
• Possible Resistance – Some individuals may resist the changes before fully adapting.
• Long-Term Development – Over time, positive habits and self-discipline may develop.
• Increased Confidence and Self-Control – Individuals often feel more in control of their actions and decisions.
• Improved Relationships and Reduced Stress - When there are fewer behavioural upsets, families can get on with enjoying each other’s company and getting things done more smoothly.
• Potential Relapses – Occasional setbacks may occur, requiring reinforcement of strategies.

Behaviour Management Prognosis

• Successful Outcomes – With consistency and the right approach, long-term positive behaviour changes can be achieved. Early intervention can be especially helpful.
• Challenging Cases – Some behaviours may take longer to change, especially if deeply ingrained or linked to emotional issues. In some instances, one or both parents may also need their own support.
• Need for Continuous Support – Periodic reinforcement may be necessary to maintain improvements.
• Need to Coordinate - Sometimes, strategies and feedback may need to be coordinated across households, and also with school.
• Adaptability Required – As individuals grow and environments change, behaviour management strategies may need to evolve. There may also be the need to improve skills in other areas, e.g. social skills or attention/organisation.

With a patient and coordinated approach, even long-standing behavioural difficulties can be responsive to treatment. Often it’s best to remind ourselves that “kids do well if they can”, and to therefore focus our behaviour management efforts on identifying barriers and boosting success.