Your child can build a Lego city for 3 hours, then melt down when asked to put their shoes on. Your teenager forgets the same 4 things every morning. School says they’re “bright but disruptive”.
If that sounds familiar, you’ve probably been given plenty of advice already. Much of it is about rewards, consequences or trying harder. This guide takes a different starting point.
It explains how ADHD behaviour support works, where positive behaviour support fits, what the NDIS may fund and what a plan looks like day to day. It’s written for parents, carers and support coordinators in Sydney.
Key points
- ADHD behaviour support helps when behaviour causes harm or gets in the way of daily life.
- It works alongside a doctor’s care and focuses on routines, skills and coaching.
- The NDIS may fund it for participants, though ADHD alone often isn’t enough to join the NDIS.
- Small, practical changes at home and school usually help most.
What is ADHD behaviour support?
ADHD behaviour support is help for a person with ADHD whose behaviour is causing harm or getting in the way of their daily life. It usually uses positive behaviour support. A practitioner works out why the behaviour happens, then changes routines, teaches skills and coaches the people around the person.
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It affects attention, activity levels and impulse control. The Australian ADHD Professionals Association says more than 1 million Australians have ADHD. Its 2022 clinical guideline was approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Behaviour support doesn’t diagnose ADHD or replace a paediatrician, psychiatrist or GP. It sits alongside that care. Its focus is the day-to-day moments that are hardest: getting out the door, homework, transitions and big emotions.
Why can ADHD lead to behaviours of concern?
ADHD can lead to behaviours of concern when the demands of a day outpace a person’s skills in attention, planning and self-control. The behaviour is often a way to escape a task, cope with frustration or release energy. For many people, the skill to do things differently isn’t there yet.
Researchers often describe ADHD as a difference in executive function. These are the brain skills that help us plan, start tasks, switch between activities, hold instructions in mind and manage feelings. When those skills are under strain, everyday demands can tip into a crisis.
Common patterns include:
- Explosive reactions to small changes. Being told to stop a game can feel sudden and unfair.
- Leaving or running. A person may walk out of class or a room when a task feels too hard.
- Impulsive risks. Climbing, grabbing or crossing roads without stopping to think.
- Aggression in frustration. Hitting or throwing when feelings rise faster than words.
- Refusing tasks. Saying no to homework or chores, often because starting feels impossible.
Many of these behaviours are worse when ADHD sits alongside another condition. Autism, anxiety and intellectual disability are common partners. When a person has both ADHD and autism, our guide to behaviour support for children with autism may also help.
How does positive behaviour support help with ADHD?
Positive behaviour support helps with ADHD by building routines that suit how the person’s brain works. It teaches skills step by step and coaches families and staff to respond the same way. It doesn’t rely on punishment. The aim is fewer crises and a better quality of life for the person and the people around them.
The work usually looks like this:
- Assessment. A Functional Behaviour Assessment looks at when and why the behaviour happens. We talk with the person, their family and often their school.
- A written plan. The findings become a behaviour support plan. It sets out strategies for home, school and the community.
- Changes to the setting. That might mean visual timetables, shorter tasks, movement breaks or a calm-down space.
- Skill building. We teach skills like asking for a break, using a timer or naming a feeling before it boils over.
- Coaching. Parents, teachers and support workers learn the strategies so the person hears the same message everywhere.
The strategies that help most are often small. A 5-minute warning before screen time ends. A checklist taped to the front door. A fidget in the pocket during assembly. They work because they take some load off executive function.
Does the NDIS fund behaviour support for ADHD?
The NDIS may fund behaviour support for a person with ADHD if they are an NDIS participant and the support is reasonable and necessary. ADHD on its own is often not enough to qualify for the NDIS. Many participants with ADHD qualify through another disability, such as autism or intellectual disability.
If a participant’s ADHD-related behaviour puts them or others at risk, or stops them taking part in daily life, behaviour support can be included in their plan. It’s usually funded under Capacity Building. Our guide to NDIS behaviour support funding explains how to ask for it.
If you don’t have NDIS funding, other options may help. A paediatrician, psychologist or school counsellor may be able to support you. Our team can talk through what’s available when you call.
What does ADHD behaviour support look like at school?
At school, ADHD behaviour support means working with teachers so the plan follows the student into class, the playground and transitions between them. Teachers learn the same strategies used at home. The aim is to keep the student learning and included, rather than sent out of class.
School-based strategies might include:
- seating near the teacher and away from doors and busy walkways
- instructions given one step at a time, with a written copy
- planned movement breaks before the student needs to escape
- a quiet signal the student can use to ask for a break
- a short check-in at the start and end of each day
Our guide to behaviour support in schools covers how we work with teachers and learning support teams.
Frequently asked questions
Does ADHD on its own qualify for the NDIS?
Often it doesn’t. The NDIS looks at whether a disability is likely to be permanent and how much it affects daily life. Many people with ADHD get support through health care, school and Medicare instead. People who have ADHD alongside autism or an intellectual disability are more likely to be NDIS participants.
How long does ADHD behaviour support take?
It depends on the person and what the plan needs to cover. An assessment and a written plan usually come first, followed by coaching and regular reviews. Some families need a few months of support. Others keep working with a practitioner across a school year or longer.
Is ADHD behaviour support the same as ADHD treatment?
No. ADHD treatment is managed by a doctor, such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Behaviour support works alongside that care. It focuses on behaviour, routines and skills in daily life. Any questions about medication belong with the person’s doctor.
Can adults with ADHD get behaviour support?
Yes. ADHD doesn’t end at 18. Adults with ADHD and another disability may need help with work, relationships, living skills or behaviours of concern. Our guide to behaviour support for adults explains how the work changes for adults.
Will behaviour support work for my child?
Nobody can promise a result, and every child is different. Change usually comes gradually as routines settle and skills grow. The plan includes clear goals and regular reviews, so you can see what’s working and what needs to change.
Talk to us about ADHD behaviour support
My Behaviour Support is a registered NDIS provider based in Narellan, working across South West and Western Sydney. Our Director, Domenic Barca, has a background in psychology and social work and works with people with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and complex needs.
For a closer look at the thinking behind our approach, read understanding ADHD behaviour in children. When you’re ready, make a referral or call us on 0415 930 548.
