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 working with families and carers to ensure long lasting change.
We caught up with Shayden to learn about how his experience over the last five years as part of our Individual Options team has set him up to be a successful PBS Practitioner within the Association and find out why he loves what he does.
What’s the first thing you do when you start your day to get into “work mode”?
I get everything out on my desk ready for the day ahead, write out some of my daily goals and targets, then I go and make a coffee.
What is the best thing about your role?
It has to be spending time with the people I support, whether that is in their homes or out doing activities. I love that my role as a PBS Practitioner allows me to get out into the community and I’m not in front of a desk all day.
Can you tell us what a day or week looks like in your role?
In a typical week, I get to spend time both visiting the homes of the people I support or meeting them out in the community. A home visit involves speaking with both the Autistic individual and their support staff to review current plans and help to implement resources and strategies to best support them to build their skills. I also attend team meetings with other professionals who form part of their support and therapy team to share updates and collaborate on next steps. All of this is done with the aim of improving the quality of life of each individual.
I have regular sessions with my supervisor which is when I have time to reflect on progress, as well as getting guidance and support.
When I am not meeting people face-to-face, my time is spent writing reports, tracking behaviour patterns, updating documents, or preparing for psychiatry visits, appointments, and panels. I also enjoy creating practical resources, such as visual supports, calendars, and routines tailored to the needs of each person I support.
How did the PBS Academy support you to become a confident PBS Practitioner?
The collaboration was essential in helping me to feel more confident in my role. I enjoyed having sessions where we got to talk through the cases together, listening and learning from each with real examples. Working with others and learning as part of a team was extremely beneficial.
Are there any unexpected or spontaneous parts of your day that you enjoy?
The role can involve some detective work. I enjoy looking into unique behaviours that require the team coming together to understand and support. Sometimes it just takes a fresh set of eyes or going back to the start of a behaviour. The purpose of these unique behaviours can be so incredible but so simple, and a small change can have a huge impact on someone’s life once you understand them.
Why did you choose a career in Autism?
I started as a support worker at the Association five years ago, thanks to the recommendation of a friend. From the get-go, I really enjoyed the people I was spending my days with, both my colleagues and the individuals I was supporting.
What motivates you at work?
It is rewarding for me to see the resources and plans I have put in place coming into effect and genuinely helping someone.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a similar role?
If you’re studying or unsure about the next steps of your career, it can be really useful to get some work as a support worker and spend time with Autistic people. Getting hands on experience will also help you in the future to understand the different roles available in the sector.
How do you like to spend time away from work?
I enjoy playing soccer, as well as going out for food with friends and my partner.
Tell us something no one knows about you.
I have a birthmark on my lower back that is a perfect little fish, with bubbles.
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.
Meet more of our TCS team members by clicking the link below:
- Meet Sarah – A Day in the Life of a Speech Pathologist
- Meet Michael – A Day in the Life of a PBS Practitioner