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Applied behaviour analysis
A psychological intervention that applies empirical approaches based upon the principles of respondent and operant conditioning to change behaviour.
Behaviour modification
A psychotherapeutic intervention primarily used to eliminate or reduce maladaptive behaviour in children or adults.
Confusion
A general sense of uncertainty about what is happening to a person or what they are supposed to do.
De-escalation
Actions taken to address a person's agitated or heightened behaviour in order to relieve their stress or return them to baseline.
Emotional distress
Is a state of emotional suffering. The term encompasses a wide range of symptoms, but its hallmarks are the symptoms of depression and anxiety. People can experience it at any time, and it is usually temporary.
Pattern of behaviour
A recurrent way of acting by an individual or group toward a given object or in a given situation.
Alternative termsBehaviour trendPositive behavioural support (PBS)
A multicomponent framework for (a) developing an understanding of the challenging behaviour displayed by an individual, based on an assessment of the social and physical environment and broader context within which it occurs; (b) with the inclusion of stakeholder perspectives and involvement; (c) using this understanding to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a personalised and enduring system of support; and (d) that enhances quality of life outcomes for the focal person and other stakeholders.
Redirect
Where a staff member attempts to attract a person's attention away from something to prevent or put a stop to a potentially negative interaction.
Responsive behaviour
A person's actions, words or gestures exhibited as a way of responding to something negative, frustrating or confusing in their social and physical environment.
Self-injurious behaviour (SIB)
Behaviours that cause harm, injury, or damage to a person’s body, often as an expression of personal distress. Self-harming behaviour might include cutting, burning, head-banging, hitting, biting, pinching, severe scratching, swallowing objects, and self-poisoning.
Stereotypic behaviour
Acts which are repeated over and over again and which seem to be without any apparent adaptive function unlike other behaviours (such as many instinctive acts) which, although often formally very stereotyped in form, clearly fulfil an adaptive purpose.
Threatening
Having a hostile or deliberately frightening quality or manner.