What to Expect During Your Time with Waves

At Waves, we view Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) not as a way to "fix" or control someone, but as a compassionate tool to improve your loved one's quality of life and reduce moments of intense distress. We know that all actions are a form of communication. When someone's environment, sensory needs, or emotional health aren't being met, distress is often the only voice they have left.

PBS works by uncovering these unmet needs and changing the world around the person - adjusting environments, teaching safer ways to express feelings, and replacing control with genuine freedom and safety.

Your journey with us is built on partnership, respect, and trust. Here is a step-by-step look at what to expect as we walk alongside your family.

Our Process

  • 01

    CONNECTION AND UNDERSTANDING

    The first few weeks are all about building trust and understanding your family’s world. Our initial session is completely informal - we don’t "assess" your loved one; we simply listen to your story, your priorities, and what matters most to you.

    During this time, we lay the groundwork for your support. If there are immediate safety concerns or high distress, we’ll work with you on a Risk Assessment that prioritises emotional safety and co-regulation above all else.

    Face-to-Face Sessions: We usually meet weekly or fortnightly at first, focusing on "being with" rather than "doing." Strategies only work once true trust is established. Where funding allows, we maintain this momentum to keep things steady.

    Interim Support Plan (IBSP): If high-risk situations or safety concerns need immediate coverage, we create an Interim Plan around weeks 3–4. This gives your support network clear, practical guidance on how to keep your loved one safe while we continue getting to know them better. (Developing this temporary plan takes around 10–15 hours).

  • A woman wearing glasses is pointing at a chart about emotions on a table while talking to two children, one with curly hair and the other with straight, light brown hair wearing headphones. They are in a room with bookshelves and colorful children's books and toys.

    02

    LEARNING AND TRIALLING

    Once we’ve built a strong, comfortable connection, our face-to-face sessions often move into a steady monthly rhythm. In this phase, we look beneath the surface to understand the "why" behind moments of distress or dysregulation.

    Instead of just "collecting clinical data," we observe and learn alongside you to see what actually works in your real, daily home life. Together, we trial different neuroaffirming approaches to see what helps your loved one feel most regulated, safe, and supported.

  • 03

    YOUR COMPREHENSIVE MAP

    With everything we’ve learned together, we write a Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan. This isn't just a rigid clinical document - it’s a deep, respectful map of your loved one's unique strengths, communication, and sensory needs, complete with clear guidance for the people supporting them. Developing and writing a Comprehensive Plan typically takes around 20 hours.

    Once the plan is ready, we provide dedicated coaching and training for your entire support circle - family members, carers, and support workers. We make sure everyone understands how to put these strategies into practice in a way that honours your loved one’s autonomy, dignity, and choices.

  • A woman with a black headscarf smiling and holding an 'NDIS End-of-Plan Report' booklet.

    04

    FLOW AND REVIEW

    Once your plans and strategies are fully in place, our presence becomes a steady, less frequent anchor in your life. We shift our focus to monitoring how things are going, celebrating progress, and updating strategies as your loved one’s life and needs evolve.

    We always welcome your honest feedback to ensure our support stays genuinely person-centred and helpful for your family. As you approach the end of your NDIS plan period, we complete all necessary End-of-Plan Reports well in advance to advocate for your ongoing funding and ensure your support continues without a single hitch.