The Role of Context and Behaviour in Supporting Meaningful Lives

Understanding Context in Behaviour Support

Context is everything. It shapes how we interact with the world, how we experience challenges, and how we make choices. Yet, when it comes to behaviour support, context is often overlooked in favour of focusing on the individual. This deficit-based approach assumes that challenges lie within the person rather than recognising that behaviour is an adaptive response to environmental conditions.

For people accessing behaviour support through the NDIS, this distinction is critical. If behaviour is shaped by the surrounding context, then meaningful behaviour support should focus on creating environments that empower, include, and uplift. Whether in a home, school, workplace, or community setting, ensuring that the environment is responsive to a person's needs, rights, and values is key to supporting their quality of life.

From a contextual behavioural science (CBS) and applied behaviour analysis (ABA) perspective, behaviour is not an isolated event. It emerges through interactions with the environment over time. That environment includes physical spaces, social relationships, communication patterns, expectations, and systemic structures. Therefore, behaviour support must focus not just on what a person does but also on why, when, and where.

If we want to truly support people to live self-determined, fulfilling lives, we must shift away from outdated models that focus on control and compliance and instead work towards person-centred, rights-based support that adapts the environment to the person—not the other way around.

Moving Beyond Individual Deficits

Historically, behaviour support has been shaped by medical and deficit-based models that focus on "fixing" behaviours that are considered inconvenient, disruptive, or non-compliant. This leads to the overuse of restrictive practices, exclusion, and coercive interventions that fail to consider the individual's needs, wants, and rights.

For instance, a person who struggles with loud environments may be labelled as having "challenging behaviours", when in reality, the environment is inaccessible to them. The

solution shouldn’t be to force them to tolerate distressing sensory input but rather to modify the environment, such as providing quiet spaces, noise-cancelling headphones, or alternative ways to engage.

Similarly, in workplaces, autistic individuals are often expected to mask their traits to fit in, leading to exhaustion, stress, and burnout. Instead of demanding that they conform to rigid workplace norms, a more inclusive approach would involve making workplaces more flexible and accommodating, such as offering remote work, flexible schedules, or alternative communication methods.

By shifting our focus from the individual to the context in which they live, learn, and work, we create meaningful, sustainable changes that benefit everyone, not just those receiving behaviour support.

Contextual Strategies for Meaningful Behaviour Support

A human rights-focused and person-centred approach to behaviour support requires us to examine and modify the environments in which people navigate their daily lives. This means looking at systems, relationships, expectations, and accessibility and ensuring they align with the person’s unique needs and goals.

1. Promoting Autonomy and Self-Determination

People should have the right to make their own choices, even when those choices involve risk. Too often, people with disabilities experience overprotection and a lack of autonomy in decisions about their own lives. True behaviour support involves assent-based practices, where individuals are actively involved in deciding what works for them.

💡 Example: Instead of using behaviour support plans that focus on controlling an individual’s actions (e.g., reducing how often they leave their home), plans should centre around helping them develop skills and access support to participate in the community in a way that feels safe and comfortable for them.

2. Ensuring Environments Are Accessible and Inclusive

A truly supportive environment is one where people don’t have to struggle to fit in—they are accepted as they are, and the space is adjusted to meet their needs. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators; it includes sensory considerations, communication supports, and flexible social expectations.

💡 Example: A student who struggles with bright lights and noisy classrooms may benefit from dim lighting, noise reduction strategies, and sensory breaks rather than being forced to endure a setting that overwhelms them.

3. Building Strong, Supportive Relationships

The quality of relationships has a profound impact on well-being and behaviour. People thrive when they feel supported, understood, and valued. However, people with disabilities often face social exclusion—whether in school, work, or the broader community. Support networks should foster relationships that are reciprocal, respectful, and affirming.

💡 Example: A person who relies on alternative communication (e.g., AAC devices, sign language) should have consistent access to communication partners who are trained and willing to engage with them. This ensures they are heard and included rather than being left out of conversations.

4. Challenging Systemic Barriers and Restrictive Practices

Many barriers to meaningful lives come not from personal limitations but from systemic issues such as ableism, restrictive policies, and lack of inclusive opportunities. Advocating for policy changes and systemic improvements is just as important as providing individual support.

💡 Example: Instead of requiring individuals to prove that they are capable of independent living before receiving supports, the NDIS and other service providers should ensure that supports are designed to facilitate autonomy without unnecessary restrictions.

What Does This Mean for NDIS Behaviour Support?

Within the NDIS framework, behaviour support should be about enhancing quality of life, not just reducing behaviours of concern. This means moving beyond behaviour reduction plans and towards plans that build autonomy, connection, and access to meaningful experiences.

To achieve this, NDIS behaviour support practitioners should:

✔️ Actively involve the person in their own behaviour support planning.

✔️ Ensure that goals align with the person’s values, not just service provider expectations.

✔️ Advocate for adjustments to environments, not just behavioural interventions.

✔️ Educate families and support workers on person-centred approaches.

✔️ Eliminate restrictive practices wherever possible and focus on proactive, supportive strategies.

A context-based approach to behaviour support is not just best practice. It is a matter of human rights, dignity, and social justice. By addressing the environments that shape behaviour, we can create more inclusive, accessible, and empowering spaces where people can live the life they want, free from unnecessary restrictions.

What’s the most important factor in meaningful behaviour support?

• Promoting autonomy and self-determination
• Ensuring environments are accessible and inclusive
• Building strong, supportive relationships
• Challenging systemic barriers and restrictions