What It Really Means to Be Neuro-Affirming in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

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Oct 27, 2025
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October 2025 | 4 min read

Author: Isabelle Jeffriess, MAppliedBehaviourAnalysis, BPsych(Hons) – Behaviour Support Practitioner, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst

What “Neuro-Affirming” Really Means in Positive Behaviour Support

To be neuro-affirming is to accept that every brain works differently - and that these differences are not deficits to be “fixed.” In Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), a neuro-affirming approach views behaviour as communication and aims to support the person’s wellbeing, not force conformity.

This means creating environments where neurodivergent individuals - including autistic people, people with ADHD, and those with other neurological differences — feel safe, respected, and understood.

Why It Matters in Positive Behaviour Support

Traditional behaviour models have sometimes focused too heavily on compliance: teaching individuals to behave in ways that make others comfortable. But neuro-affirming PBS and ABA shifts that focus to comfort, communication, and consent.

Instead of asking, “How can we stop this behaviour?”, we ask:

What is this behaviour communicating?
What does the person need right now?
How can we support regulation and choice?

This approach aligns with PBS’s core goal: improving quality of life - not just reducing behaviour.

Principles of Neuro-Affirming Practice in PBS

Respect Neurodiversity
- Recognise neurodivergence as a natural part of human variation, not a disorder to be cured.
Prioritise Emotional and Sensory Safety
- Adjust environments to meet sensory preferences instead of expecting the person to adapt to discomfort.
Promote Autonomy and Choice
- Encourage individuals to make decisions about their own supports, communication styles, and routines.
Use Strengths-Based Language
- Focus on what a person can do, not what they can’t. Replace “challenging behaviour” with “distress signals” or “communication attempts.”
Collaborate with Neurodivergent Voices
- Include the perspectives of neurodivergent individuals, advocates, and families in plan development.

Examples in Practice

Supporting Regulation: Instead of removing a child’s sensory toy because it’s “distracting,” a neuro-affirming practitioner might help find ways to incorporate it during learning.
Reframing Behaviour: A person pacing or humming may not be “disruptive” - they may be self-regulating. The focus shifts to supporting this safely, not stopping it.
Goal Setting: Goals are co-designed with the person and their family. For instance, “improving social connection” may focus on shared interests, not forcing eye contact.

Common Myths About Neuro-Affirming Practice

Myth 1: Neuro-affirming means no behaviour change.

Reality: It means ethical behaviour change - supporting new skills while respecting identity and autonomy.

Myth 2: It only applies to autism.

Reality: Neuro-affirming principles apply across all neurotypes.

Myth 3: It’s anti-ABA or anti-PBS.

Reality: Modern PBS and ABA frameworks can absolutely be neuro-affirming when guided by values of consent, collaboration, and dignity.

The Bigger Picture

Being neuro-affirming isn’t a checklist or a buzzword to be used - it’s a mindset. It means continually reflecting on how we describe behaviour, how we set goals, and how we define “progress.

A neuro-affirming PBS approach moves away from trying to “normalise” behaviour and instead focuses on helping people thrive as their authentic selves.

Key Takeaway

Neuro-affirming Positive Behaviour Support means supporting individuals as they are - with compassion, respect, and understanding. It's not about changing people to fit their environment, it’s about changing environments so people can flourish.