Early Childhood Behaviour Support: A Parent’s Guide to NDIS Services

Navigating the world of NDIS services for your child can feel overwhelming, especially when seeking early childhood behaviour support. This guide is designed to help parents in Australia understand what early childhood behaviour support involves, how it differs from general behaviour support, and how the NDIS can fund these crucial services for young children. By understanding the pathways and processes, you can feel confident in accessing the right support to help your child thrive.

What Is Early Childhood Behaviour Support?

Early childhood behaviour support is a specialised service tailored for children typically aged 0-6 years who are exhibiting behaviours of concern. It focuses on understanding the reasons behind these behaviours and implementing positive, proactive strategies to help children develop adaptive skills and improve their overall quality of life. Unlike general behaviour support services, the early childhood approach is highly developmental, considering the unique stages of a young child’s growth and learning.

This support works within the broader framework of Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), which aims to provide timely and effective support to young children with developmental delays or disabilities. The core goal is to foster a child’s social-emotional development, communication skills, and independence, reducing the impact of challenging behaviours on their learning and participation in everyday activities. Recognising the benefits of early intervention is crucial, as timely support can significantly improve long-term outcomes for children and their families.

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Behaviour Support

Recognising the signs that your child might benefit from early childhood behaviour support can be challenging, as young children naturally exhibit a wide range of behaviours as they grow. However, certain patterns or intensities of behaviour may indicate a need for professional assistance. These signs often persist over time, interfere with daily routines, or impact your child’s ability to learn and interact with others.

Consider whether your child displays any of the following:

• Frequent and Intense Tantrums: Beyond typical toddler tantrums, these may be unusually long, difficult to de-escalate, or occur many times a day.
• Aggression Towards Themselves or Others: This could include hitting, biting, kicking, head-banging, or throwing objects with intent to harm.
• Difficulty with Transitions: Struggling excessively when moving from one activity or environment to another, often leading to meltdowns.
• Repetitive or Restrictive Behaviours: Engaging in repetitive actions, having strong attachments to routines, or showing extreme reactions to changes in routine.
• Self-Injurious Behaviours: Any behaviour that causes harm to themselves, such as scratching, biting, or picking at skin.
• Significant Communication Challenges: Difficulty expressing needs or wants, leading to frustration and behavioural outbursts.
• Social Withdrawal or Difficulty Interacting: Avoiding play with peers, struggling to understand social cues, or preferring solitary activities excessively.

If you’re observing these signs, it may be time to consider whether your child needs early intervention. A behaviour support practitioner can help determine if the behaviours are typical for their age or if they indicate a need for targeted support.

Early childhood behaviour support is about equipping children with the skills they need to navigate their world, fostering positive interactions and promoting their holistic development from the very beginning.

How NDIS Funds Behaviour Support for Young Children

The NDIS provides funding for early childhood behaviour support through various pathways, primarily for children aged 0-6 years (and sometimes up to 9 years) via the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECEI). This approach helps young children with developmental delay or disability, and their families, to access timely and appropriate supports. National Disability Insurance Scheme’s guidance on the age of children supported under the NDIS early childhood approach is changing | NDIS sets this out in more detail.

The NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECEI) Pathway

For young children, the ECEI pathway is often the first step to accessing NDIS funding for behaviour support. Here’s how it generally works:

1. Initial Contact: Parents or guardians can contact the NDIS directly or work with an Early Childhood Partner (EC Partner), which is an organisation contracted by the NDIA to deliver the ECEI approach.
2. Referral and Assessment: The EC Partner will discuss your child’s needs and may conduct an initial assessment. If eligible, they will connect you with a qualified behaviour support practitioner or other relevant therapists.
3. Interim or Full Plan: Depending on the assessment, your child may receive an interim NDIS plan, or if criteria are met, a full NDIS plan that includes funding for behaviour support.

Accessing Behaviour Support Through an Existing NDIS Plan

If your child already has an NDIS plan, you may not need to go through the ECEI pathway again. In our experience, behaviour support funding sits within the Capacity Building budget under ‘Improved Relationships’. Check your plan to see whether this category is already included. If it is, you can begin searching for a registered behaviour support practitioner straight away.

If your current plan doesn’t include funding for behaviour support, you can request a plan review (also called a plan reassessment) through your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator. To strengthen your request, gather supporting evidence such as reports from your child’s GP, paediatrician, or educators that detail the behaviours of concern and recommend behaviour support. Once the review is approved and your plan is updated, you’ll have dedicated funding to engage a practitioner.

Finding a Provider and Starting Services

Once your child’s plan includes behaviour support funding, the next step is finding the right practitioner. You can typically search the NDIS Provider Finder on the NDIS website, ask your EC Partner or Support Coordinator for recommendations, or contact providers directly to discuss your child’s needs. When speaking with potential providers, ask about their experience with young children, their approach to Positive Behaviour Support, and their availability.

Before sessions begin, you’ll sign a service agreement with your chosen provider that outlines the services to be delivered, the cost, and how your NDIS funding will be managed. Your first appointment will typically be an intake session where the practitioner gathers background information about your child’s developmental history, current behaviours, daily routines, and family context. Bring along any existing reports from other health professionals, as these help the practitioner build a complete picture.

Funding for Behaviour Support

Once your child has an NDIS plan, funding for behaviour support generally comes from the ‘Capacity Building’ support category, specifically under ‘Improved Relationships’. This category is designed to help participants develop positive behaviours and reduce behaviours of concern. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission oversees the provision of behaviour support services, ensuring practitioners are registered and adhere to strict guidelines, especially concerning restrictive practices.

A qualified behaviour support practitioner will conduct a functional assessment, which helps understand the purpose or ‘function’ of a child’s challenging behaviours. Based on this, they develop a comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan. The plan outlines specific strategies and interventions to replace challenging behaviours with more appropriate ones, focusing on Positive Behaviour Support principles.

What to Expect from the Behaviour Support Process

Engaging in early childhood behaviour support is a structured process designed to provide comprehensive and individualised assistance. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared and confident as you begin this journey with your child.

The Role of a Behaviour Support Practitioner

A behaviour support practitioner is a qualified professional trained to understand and address challenging behaviours. They typically hold degrees in fields such as psychology, social work, occupational therapy, or special education, with further specialisation in Positive Behaviour Support. Their role involves:

• Assessment: Conducting a thorough functional behaviour assessment to identify triggers, antecedents, and consequences of challenging behaviours, and to understand their underlying function.
• Plan Development: Creating a tailored Behaviour Support Plan that includes proactive strategies, reactive strategies, and skill-building goals.
• Implementation Support: Guiding parents and other support team members on how to effectively implement the strategies outlined in the plan.
• Monitoring and Review: Regularly reviewing the plan’s effectiveness, making adjustments as needed, and collaborating with other therapists involved in your child’s care.

What Qualifications to Look For

When choosing a behaviour support practitioner for your child, look for someone who is registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission as either a core or proficient practitioner. Core-registered practitioners can develop interim behaviour support plans, while proficient practitioners can develop comprehensive plans, including those that involve regulated restrictive practices. Beyond registration, look for a practitioner who has direct experience working with young children, as the strategies for a three-year-old differ substantially from those used with older children or adults. Ask whether they use a family-centred approach, whether they’re willing to visit your child’s home or childcare setting, and how they involve parents in the process.

Developing a Behaviour Support Plan

The development of a Behaviour Support Plan is a collaborative process involving the practitioner, parents, and often other key people in the child’s life (e.g., educators). The plan typically includes:

1. Behavioural Definitions: Clear descriptions of the behaviours of concern.
2. Functional Hypothesis: An explanation of why the behaviours are occurring.
3. Proactive Strategies: Environmental changes, teaching new skills, or communication supports to prevent challenging behaviours.
4. Reactive Strategies: Safe and consistent responses to use when challenging behaviours occur.
5. Skill Development Goals: Targets for teaching replacement behaviours and other adaptive skills.
6. Monitoring and Data Collection: Methods for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.

The practitioner will work alongside other early childhood therapies your child may receive, such as speech therapy or occupational therapy, to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to your child’s development. This collaborative model ensures that all supports are aligned and working towards common goals.

How Parents Can Support Their Child at Home

Parents are the most important part of their child’s support team. Your active involvement in the role parents play in early intervention is crucial for the success of early childhood behaviour support. Implementing strategies consistently at home reinforces the professional support and helps your child generalise new skills across different environments.

Here are practical ways parents can support their child’s behavioural progress at home:

• Consistency is Key: Follow the strategies outlined in the Behaviour Support Plan consistently. All caregivers (parents, grandparents, babysitters) should use the same approach to avoid confusion for the child.
• Positive Reinforcement: Actively praise and reward desired behaviours. This helps your child understand what is expected and motivates them to repeat positive actions.
• Clear Communication: Use simple, clear language when giving instructions or setting expectations. Visual aids (e.g., picture schedules, first/then boards) can be highly effective for young children.
• Environmental Modifications: Work with your practitioner to identify and adjust environmental triggers at home. This might involve creating a calm space, establishing predictable routines, or providing choices to increase your child’s sense of control.
• Teach Replacement Behaviours: Help your child learn alternative, appropriate ways to communicate their needs or manage their emotions. For example, if a child hits when frustrated, teach them to ask for a break or use a calm-down technique.
• Self-Care for Parents: Supporting a child with behavioural challenges can be demanding. Remember to look after your own well-being, seek support from your network, or engage in activities that help you recharge.

Your behaviour support practitioner will provide specific guidance and training tailored to your child’s needs and your family’s routine. Open communication with your practitioner about what is working (or not working) at home is vital for adapting the plan and ensuring ongoing success.

How Behaviour Support Works Alongside Other Therapies

Young children receiving behaviour support often work with several professionals at once — speech pathologists, occupational therapists, or psychologists. Rather than operating in isolation, effective early childhood behaviour support is designed to integrate with these other therapies so that your child receives a consistent, unified approach.

How Practitioners Coordinate Care

Your behaviour support practitioner should actively collaborate with your child’s wider therapy team. In practice, this coordination typically involves:

• Shared Goal-Setting: Your behaviour support practitioner and other therapists align on shared goals. For example, if the speech pathologist is teaching your child to use an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device, the behaviour support plan will incorporate that same communication tool as a replacement for behaviours driven by frustration at not being understood.
• Case Conferences: Regular team meetings — whether face-to-face, by phone, or via video call — allow all practitioners to share observations, discuss what’s working, and adjust strategies together. Parents are often invited to these meetings and play an active role.
• Consistent Strategies Across Settings: The behaviour support plan is shared (with your consent) with other professionals and your child’s educators so that the same approaches are used in therapy sessions, at childcare or preschool, and at home.

Common Therapy Combinations

Here are some of the ways behaviour support commonly works alongside other early childhood therapies:

• Speech Therapy: When challenging behaviours stem from communication difficulties, the speech pathologist focuses on building your child’s expressive language skills while the behaviour support practitioner builds those same communication strategies into the plan — for instance, teaching your child to request a break using a visual card rather than hitting.
• Occupational Therapy: If sensory processing differences are triggering behaviours (such as covering ears in noisy environments or refusing certain textures), the occupational therapist may recommend a sensory diet or specific calming strategies. These are then embedded directly into the behaviour support plan as proactive strategies.
• Psychology: For children experiencing anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or trauma-related difficulties, a psychologist may provide therapeutic support that complements the behavioural strategies. The behaviour support practitioner ensures the plan reflects and reinforces the coping techniques the psychologist is teaching.

As a parent, you are the common thread across all of these services. Keeping open lines of communication with each practitioner — and letting them know what’s being worked on in other sessions — helps the whole team stay aligned and ensures your child’s progress in one area supports their development in all others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is an approach focused on understanding the reasons behind challenging behaviours and teaching new, more effective skills. It aims to improve a person’s quality of life by creating supportive environments and proactive strategies, rather than just reacting to behaviours.

How do I access behaviour support through the NDIS?

For young children (0-6 years), the primary pathway is the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECEI). Contact an NDIS Early Childhood Partner or the NDIS directly. If your child already has an NDIS plan, check whether ‘Improved Relationships’ funding is included under Capacity Building — if so, you can engage a registered behaviour support practitioner straight away. If that category isn’t in your plan, request a plan review through your LAC or Support Coordinator and provide supporting evidence from your child’s health professionals. For more detailed steps, you can refer to our guide on how to access behaviour support.

What qualifications should a behaviour support practitioner have?

Behaviour support practitioners are typically allied health professionals (e.g., psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers) with specialised training in positive behaviour support. They must generally be NDIS registered and comply with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s requirements, particularly regarding the development of Behaviour Support Plans. For early childhood specifically, look for practitioners registered at either core or proficient level who have direct experience working with young children and who use a family-centred approach.

Can behaviour support work with other therapies?

Absolutely. Behaviour support is often most effective when integrated with other therapies your child may receive, such as speech therapy for communication challenges or occupational therapy for sensory processing issues. A good behaviour support practitioner will collaborate with your child’s entire support team to ensure a cohesive approach. This typically involves shared goal-setting, case conferences, and aligning strategies so your child receives consistent support across all settings.

What is the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECEI)?

The ECEI approach is how the NDIS supports children aged 0-6 (and sometimes up to 9) with developmental delay or disability. It provides early intervention to give children the best start in life, helping them to develop skills and participate in daily activities. An Early Childhood Partner will guide families through this process.

Conclusion

Early childhood behaviour support offers a vital lifeline for families navigating the challenges of developmental delays and disabilities. By understanding the signs that your child may benefit, the NDIS pathways for funding, and the process of working with a behaviour support practitioner, you can take proactive steps towards fostering your child’s development and well-being.

Remember, early intervention is key, and your role as a parent is invaluable in reinforcing strategies at home. Brilliant Life Services – Bella Vista is dedicated to providing comprehensive NDIS support, including early childhood behaviour support, across the Hills District and greater Sydney region. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step, ensuring your child receives the tailored assistance they deserve.

Related resources

• Behaviour Support
• How to Evaluate an Early Childhood Intervention Service Provider
• What Is Behaviour Support Service
• What Are the Key Principles of Positive Behaviour Support