Behaviour Support
Understanding the Why Behind Behaviour
When a child, youth or adult experiences
difficulty managing emotions or responding
to everyday situations, it is easy to focus
only on the behaviour we can see.
But behaviour does not occur in isolation.
It can be influenced by communication
difficulties, sensory needs, changes
in routine, stress, physical discomfort
or environmental expectations.
Look Beyond the Behaviour
Instead of asking only how to stop a behaviour,
consider what happened before it and what
the person may be trying to communicate.
A person who refuses an activity might be
feeling overwhelmed, uncertain about
expectations or unable to communicate
that they need a break.
Practical Ways to Respond
-
Observe what happens before and after
challenging situations.
-
Use clear and consistent communication.
-
Provide choices when possible.
-
Recognize and reinforce positive skills.
-
Adapt routines and environments
to individual needs.
-
Work collaboratively with the person
and their support network.
Our perspective:
Meaningful behaviour support begins with
understanding the person, not simply
correcting their behaviour.
At Progressive Pathways, individualized
behaviour support focuses on practical
skill development, emotional regulation,
communication and meaningful participation
in everyday life.
Respite Care
Why Respite Care Matters for Families
Supporting a family member with a disability
can be deeply rewarding. It can also involve
significant emotional, physical and
scheduling demands.
Respite care provides temporary support
for an individual while giving their
primary caregivers time to manage other
responsibilities, rest or attend
to personal needs.
Respite Is More Than a Break
Quality respite should be meaningful for
the person receiving support, too.
It can provide opportunities to build
relationships, practise life skills,
participate in activities and experience
new environments at a comfortable pace.
What Families Should Consider
-
Does the provider understand the individual's
communication and support needs?
-
Are routines, medications and safety
considerations clearly documented?
-
Does the individual have opportunities
for meaningful and enjoyable activities?
-
Is there a clear communication process
between staff and caregivers?
-
Does the arrangement fit the family's
scheduling and funding needs?
Progressive Pathways provides individualized
respite support, including in-home,
community-based and overnight options,
subject to staffing and service availability.
Seeking respite is not a sign that a
caregiver is doing less. It is one
way families can plan for sustainable,
ongoing support.
Life Skills
Building Independence Through Everyday Skills
Independence looks different for everyone.
For one person, it may mean learning to
prepare breakfast. For another, it may
involve communicating a preference,
organizing belongings or navigating
a community activity.
The goal of life skills support is not
to expect everyone to complete tasks
in the same way. It is to help each person
develop skills that are meaningful to
their own life.
Start With Achievable Goals
Breaking complex tasks into smaller,
manageable steps can help build confidence
and reduce frustration.
Visual instructions, demonstrations,
repetition, assistive tools and consistent
encouragement can all be useful,
depending on the individual.
Examples of Life Skills
- Personal hygiene and self-care
- Meal preparation and household routines
- Communication and decision-making
- Time management and organization
- Community navigation and safety awareness
- Social skills and relationship building
Progress does not always mean completing
a task without assistance. Increased
confidence, choice and participation
are meaningful achievements.
Progressive Pathways takes a person-centred
approach to life skills development,
working with individuals and caregivers
to identify goals that matter most.
Positive Parenting
What Is Triple P Parenting?
Parenting comes with challenges,
questions and moments of uncertainty.
Every child and family is different,
and practical strategies can help
make everyday situations more manageable.
The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program
is an evidence-based parenting approach
designed to support positive relationships,
encourage children's development and
help parents respond to behavioural
challenges.
What Does It Focus On?
Triple P emphasizes practical parenting
skills that can be adapted to family
circumstances and children's needs.
- Building positive parent-child relationships
- Encouraging desirable behaviour
- Establishing predictable routines
- Setting clear and realistic expectations
- Responding calmly to challenging situations
- Building parental confidence
Learning Alongside Other Parents
Group-based parenting programs offer
opportunities to learn practical strategies,
reflect on everyday challenges and
connect with others in a supportive
learning environment.
Progressive Pathways is an accredited
provider of the Triple P Group Parenting
Program. Families interested in participating
can contact PPBDS for information
about upcoming sessions.
Equine-Assisted Therapy
How Horses Can Support Personal Growth
Sometimes meaningful learning and connection
happen outside a traditional office or
classroom setting.
Equine-assisted experiences create
opportunities for participants to engage
with horses through observation,
grooming, groundwork and other
guided activities.
Building Connection and Confidence
Horses respond to movement, body language,
their surroundings and the behaviour
of the people interacting with them.
With appropriate professional guidance,
these interactions may offer opportunities
to practise patience, communication,
emotional awareness and confidence.
An Individualized Experience
Not every participant has the same goals.
Some may focus on becoming comfortable
around horses, while others work on
communication, emotional regulation
or social participation.
Equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding
lessons are different services. The
appropriate option depends on an individual's
goals, needs and the qualifications
of the provider.
No previous experience with horses is
necessary for many introductory
ground-based activities.
Participation must always be suited
to individual needs and safety.
Progressive Pathways offers equine-assisted
services and riding opportunities in
Leduc County. Contact the team to discuss
current programs and suitability.
Community Access
Why Community Inclusion Matters
Everyone deserves opportunities to
participate in their community, develop
relationships and enjoy activities that
are meaningful to them.
For individuals with disabilities,
accessing these opportunities can
sometimes involve additional planning,
transportation, communication supports
or adaptations.
Inclusion Is About More Than Attendance
Meaningful community participation means
having opportunities to make choices,
connect with others and take part
in activities in ways that respect
individual needs.
Community-Based Skill Development
Depending on a person's goals, activities
might include:
- Shopping and money-management practice
- Recreation and inclusive sports
- Community events and social outings
- Using local services and facilities
- Practising communication in real settings
- Developing relationships and confidence
Planning should consider accessibility,
personal preferences, safety, sensory
needs and the level of support required.
Inclusion means having the opportunity
to belong, contribute, choose and participate,
not simply being present.
Progressive Pathways supports community
access and individualized skill development
with a focus on dignity, independence
and meaningful participation.
