Shows
Behaviour BitsReimagining Good Residential Support: Creating Homes, Not WorkplacesIn this episode, Niall Hewitt, director of Rubix Support and board member of Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia and Developmental Educators Australia, shares deep insights into the evolving landscape of residential support services. With decades of experience across direct disability care, forensic services, government departments, and now leadership in the sector, Niall walks us through his hands-on journey and the critical importance of understanding support from the ground up. He discusses how good support goes beyond ticking boxes—it’s about consistency, meaningful relationships, respectful environments, and support that genuinely makes someone’s life better.The conversation explores practical ways t...2025-07-0454 minBehaviour BitsRethinking Complex Needs: 10 Things to Do Differently from Dr. Brent HaywardIn this episode, Jenn is joined by Dr Brent Hayward, a registered nurse and senior lecturer at Monash University with over two decades of experience across disability, mental health, and policy sectors. Brent shares a compelling reflection on his 20-year journey, highlighting the systemic barriers, evolving practices, and persistent challenges in providing effective support for individuals with disabilities and complex needs. Drawing on his keynote from the Complex Needs Conference, Brent outlines the “Top 10 Things to Do Differently”, offering a powerful critique of current service delivery models and a roadmap for meaningful change.The conversation dives into why reflective prac...2025-06-021h 13Behaviour BitsOn Bravery and Rights-Centred Practice: Ethical Decision-Making in Restrictive Practices with Sharon Paley (Part 2)In this compelling follow-up episode, Sharon Paley returns to delve deeper into the ethical principles and human rights considerations regarding restrictive practices in behaviour support. Drawing on her extensive clinical and policy experience in the UK and Australia, Sharon candidly reflects on the evolution of practice, from untrained restraint use to the implementation of thoughtful, rights-focused approaches. Her insights highlight the emotional weight professionals often carry and the need for brave, well-supported teams who are equipped to make ethical decisions even in high-risk environments.Listeners will gain a nuanced understanding of why restrictive practices are often used as default...2025-05-061h 13Behaviour BitsSupporting Parenting Wellbeing and Embracing Acceptance (Dr. Georgina Cox)In this engaging episode, Dr Georgina Cox, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Royal Children's Hospital, shares insights from her extensive experience supporting families navigating disability, trauma, and mental health challenges. Georgina delves into the transformative power of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and EMDR, illustrating how these approaches can help individuals find meaning, flexibility, and resilience in the face of life's difficulties.Georgina is a Member At Large of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science-Australia and New Zealand Chapter (ANZACBS) https://www.anzacbs.com/about-anzacbs.2025-04-0156 minBehaviour BitsRethinking Positive Behaviour Support in the NDIS (Dr Erin Leif)In this episode, Jenn sits down with Dr Erin Leif, a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and senior lecturer at Monash University, to unpack the complexities of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Erin shares her professional journey, from struggling as a student to becoming a leading advocate for transforming PBS practices in Australia. Through their discussion, they explore the current state of PBS in the NDIS, the challenges practitioners face, and how the system has shifted towards a compliance-heavy, reactive model rather than a truly supportive and preventative approach.They dig deep into the...2025-03-031h 10Behaviour BitsHuman Rights, Forensic Psychology & Behaviour Support with Dr. Astrid BirgdenIn this episode of Behaviour Bits, Jenn sits down with Dr. Astrid Birgden, a forensic clinical psychologist and behaviour support specialist with over four decades of experience. Astrid shares her insights on the intersection of forensic psychology, disability, and positive behaviour support, shedding light on how human rights can and should be upheld—even in complex cases involving individuals with intellectual disabilities and offending behaviours.Throughout the conversation,Astrid discusses her pioneering work in forensic disability services, the Good Lives Model, and how therapeutic jurisprudence can shape a more humane approach to rehabilitation. She explores how professionals can balance di...2025-02-0742 minBehaviour BitsHuman Rights, Forensic Psychology & Behaviour Support with Dr. Astrid BirgdenIn this episode of *Behaviour Bits*, Jenn sits down with Dr. Astrid Birgden, a forensic clinical psychologist and behaviour support specialist with over four decades of experience. Astrid shares her insights on the intersection of forensic psychology, disability, and positive behaviour support, shedding light on how human rights can and should be upheld—even in complex cases involving individuals with intellectual disabilities and offending behaviours.Throughout the conversation, Astrid discusses her pioneering work in forensic disability services, the Good Lives Model, and how therapeutic jurisprudence can shape a more humane approach to rehabilitation. She explores how professionals can balance di...2025-02-0242 minBehaviour BitsBridging Positive Behaviour Support and Functional Communication (Kristin Bayley)Join Kristin Bayley, a board-certified behaviour analyst and speech pathologist, as she delves into the importance and implementation of functional communication training (FCT) for individuals with behaviours of concern. Kristin discusses her dual expertise, the overlap between behaviour analysis and speech pathology, and the essential role of FCT in improving the quality of life for those with unmet communication needs.She shares insights into practical strategies, the significance of early intervention, and the critical concept of using low-effort, high-reward communication methods to replace problematic behaviours. Whether dealing with early intervention or residential care settings, Kristin offers a wealth...2024-12-3157 minBehaviour BitsFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with Prue WalkerIn this episode of Behaviour Bits, Jenn sits down with Prue Walker, a clinical social worker and leading expert in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). With years of experience in child protection, out-of-home care, and her pivotal role at Monash Children’s Hospital, Prue offers an in-depth exploration of FASD—what it is, how it affects the brain and body, and the challenges individuals with FASD face in daily life.Prue delves into the neurodevelopmental implications of prenatal alcohol exposure, discussing the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate interventions, and strategies to support individuals with FASD.This episode is pack...2024-12-0346 minBehaviour BitsReducing Restrictive Practices: Insights with Sharon PaleyIn this episode of Behaviour Bits, Jenn welcomes Sharon Paley, founder and CEO of the Australian Centre for Restraint Reduction & Elimination (ACRRE). Sharon has a wide breadth and depth of experience in restrictive practice reduction. Her 40+ years of experience is reflected by her strong practice background, knowledge of practice research, and achievements in the field. Together, Jenn and Sharon dive into the complex and crucial topic of restrictive practices, discussing what they are, where they occur, and the systemic issues that allow them to persist. Sharon shares her professional journey, detailing how her early experiences shaped her dedication to reducing...2024-11-111h 03Behaviour BitsConnected Care, and the Role of the Tribe in Positive Behaviour Support (Ashley Smith)In this episode of Behaviour Bits, Jenn welcomes Ashley Smith, founder of NeuroBloom, to explore the journey from an unlikely start in dental care to becoming a trauma behavioural specialist. Ashley shares how her personal experiences and late diagnosis of autism and ADHD shaped her professional evolution into the fields of child protection, out-of-home care, and NDIS support. Through this discussion, listeners gain insight into the profound connection between trauma, behaviour, and mental health, along with the importance of relational care in professional practice.The episode dives into how trauma-informed care has become a vital component o...2024-09-0657 minBehaviour BitsUnderstanding Sensory Integration (Tim Angel)In this episode of Behaviour Bits, Jenn sits down with Tim Angel, an experiencedoccupational therapist and director of Ability Rehab and Bridge Rehab. Tim delves intothe world of sensory integration, explaining how sensory processes impact individuals’behaviour and functioning. He shares insights from his extensive career, focusing on theimportance of understanding and addressing sensory needs in both clinical settingsand everyday life.Tim discusses practical strategies for recognising and supporting sensory needs,emphasising the importance of predictability and routine. He provides examples fromhis work with children, adolescents, and ad...2024-09-0638 min