Meet the Team – A Day in the Life of a PBS Practitioner
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Practitioners are part of a Specialist Positive Behaviour Support team who have a variety of professional backgrounds – including psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work and education.
Our team is passionate about improving the quality of life of individuals with Autism, and about working with families and carers to ensure long-lasting change.
Having previously worked in the field of Autism as both a Social Worker and Support Worker, Kayleigh has just reached her first full year as a PBS Practitioner on our Adult Therapy team.
We caught up with Kayleigh to find out more about her role and why she loves what she does.
What’s the first thing you do when you start your day to get into “work mode”?
I start by checking my diary and creating my to-do list for the day.
What is the best thing about your role?
Being able to support people through challenges and seeing the positive changes that happen as they make progress towards their goals. I also really enjoy the variety – each day brings new experiences and opportunities to learn.
What does a day or week look like in your role?
Each day or week can vary quite a bit as a PBS Practitioner. Some days are very person-focused, where I spend time one-on-one with the people I support directly or speaking with their support team to learn more about their behaviour, their environment, and how they communicate.
Other days are more focused on tasks like reviewing behavioural data, writing reports, creating individualised resources, or attending team and stakeholder meetings.
How did the PBS Academy support you to become a confident PBS Practitioner?
Since PBS isn’t common in my home country, the PBS Academy played a crucial role in helping me understand both the practical role of a PBS Practitioner and the theoretical foundations behind the approach. The training provided me with evidence-based strategies and frameworks which built my confidence in my PBS role.
Are there any unexpected or spontaneous parts of your day that you enjoy?
There are times when I think I have come up with solutions to an issue, but another challenge is unlocked. It’s good though because it keeps me on my toes, engaged and motivated.
Why did you choose a career in Autism?
I find it really interesting – every Autistic person is unique, and I love learning about their individual strengths and challenges. I’ve worked in Autism as both a Support Worker and Social Worker, so it’s good to experience a different role within the field.
What motivates you at work?
What drives me most is seeing positive changes in people’s lives and knowing that my efforts contribute to improving the quality of life, independence and wellbeing of individuals with Autism.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a similar role?
My advice is to be ready and open to learn – even if you have experience or knowledge in a similar field, there’s so much to learn within PBS.
How do you like to spend time away from work?
I’m currently training for a marathon, so I spend a lot of time running.
Tell us something no one knows about you.
I moved from Perth in Scotland to Perth in Western Australia!
Spend a day in the life with us!
Meet Our Team
Find Out More
Learn more about the different roles at the Association and how every person contributes towards supporting people with Autism and their families to live their best lives on our Careers Page.