Understanding a person’s needs and experiences

A light bulb next to a research document with a positive behaviour support icon on it.

In this bulletin, we look at another idea from the research about positive behaviour support.

A thought bubble above a person raising their hand.

An important part of positive behaviour support is understanding:

  • people’s experiences
  • what they need.

This can help to understand a person’s behaviour.

The number '3'.

The research tells us that there are 3 things that can affect:

  • a person’s experiences
  • what they need.

A person.

1. Their body.

A health icon next to a person in a wheelchair.

For example:

  • does the person have a disability that affects their body?
  • do people need to understand their health better?
  • what does the person need to have better health?
  • what sort of health does their family have?

A person's brain in their head.

2. Their mind.

A person thinking next to an information icon, a sad face and a calender with an arrow pointing to the left.

For example:

  • how do they understand information?
  • how do they understand their emotions?
  • how do they share how they feel?
  • have they experienced things that have hurt them in the past?

3 people.

3. The people around them.

A group of people having a conversation.

For example:

  • how does the person connect with other people in their life?
  • what support do they need to connect with people and make decisions about what they want to do?
  • how well does the environment support what they need?

The numbers '1', '2' and '3' connected to each other. They are inside a thought bubble.

We should think about how these 3 things:

  • affect each other
  • affect a person’s experience of the world and what they need.

A carer supporting a person. They are both giving a thumbs up.

If everyone thinks about these 3 things, it can help carers to understand:

  • someone’s behaviour
  • how to give them the support they need so they can live a good life.