Positive behaviour support therapy

At Plumtree, we understand that everything children do is a type of behaviour—whether they are running, eating, playing, or talking.
When we talk about behaviour support, we mean helping with behaviours that make learning, playing, or socialising harder for children.

Parents naturally guide their children’s behaviour every day to help them learn and grow. Our positive behaviour support therapists work alongside parents, recognising their strengths and celebrating what they already do well. We offer guidance on how to build on these strengths to better understand and respond to their child’s unique ways of communicating. When help from teachers or therapists hasn’t been enough, we can assist parents in making changes to the child’s environment or interactions to support their needs. Our Back on Track program focuses on working closely with parents and other caregivers to create these positive changes while respecting neurodiversity. We begin with a checklist to ensure the program is the right fit for your family’s situation.

We respect that every child is unique and has the right to express how they feel, including the choice to say no to certain activities. We value play as a key part of development and follow the Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention Guidelines and the Australian Autism Guidelines.

Where we work. Our sessions can take place wherever is best for your child—at home, their early learning centre, school, in the community, or at our Marrickville centre.

Our approach. Our child behaviour specialists work alongside you, recognising your strengths and celebrating what you already do well. We guide you in understanding your child’s behaviour and suggest changes that can help your child thrive. We focus on helping your child develop new ways to communicate and better manage daily routines.

Evidence shows that most learning happens naturally in a child’s everyday environment, alongside family and carers. We provide practical strategies for you to use between sessions to support your child’s growth at home and in the community.

How it works. We focus on learning in everyday life. Our behaviour support specialists will show you how to understand your child’s behaviour and share simple strategies to make a big difference. We work together to help your child grow, reach their goals, and navigate daily routines.

Child behaviour specialists Inner West Sydney

Plumtree is a NDIS registered provider of early childhood intervention services, including positive behaviour support, with over 30 years’ experience working with families in Sydney’s Inner West and South East. We are more than a clinic for disability support. Our team will connect you with local resources like playgroups, support networks, educational services and other families to build a community of support.

Get in touch to learn more about NDIS positive behaviour support with Plumtree.

positive behaviour support therapy inner west sydney

Frequently asked questions

Why do our positive behaviour support therapists work closely with parents?

Our child behaviour specialists believe parents know their children best. By working closely with you during sessions, we ensure that goals are practical and achieveable. We then create personalised strategies tailored to your child’s unique needs.

Professionals may come and go, but families are the constant support in a child’s life. Good partnerships between therapists and parents ensure that support and learning continue at home, leading to better outcomes for your child. This is because evidence shows that most of a child’s learning happens between therapy sessions. We give you the skills and strategies to make it happen.

How long are therapy sessions?

Sessions times vary but are mostly one hour long. However, they can be longer if that’s the best approach to meet your goals. Sessions can be scheduled weekly or fortnightly over an extended period, or as shorter blocks. 

What happens during a therapy session? 

Therapy sessions do not all look the same. Every family has their individual priorities so we tailor our sessions to meet your circumstances. For more information read our flyer.

What are the benefits of using NDIS positive behaviour support?

NDIS registered providers meet strict government standards for safety, quality and reliability, which ensures your child receives high-quality support. These providers have verified credentials that safeguard your child’s well-being. 

Plumtree is a registered provider of NDIS supports. Our child behaviour specialists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Plumtree is also a member of the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network NSW, a trusted network of community-based child and family organisations known for delivering quality support.

Do I also need a key worker?

Our positive behaviour support specialists focus on helping children develop appropriate ways to communicate and manage their emotions. They may recommend a Plumtree key worker join your team. 

A key worker is your main contact with Plumtree, who may be an occupational therapist, speech pathologist, early childhood special educator or other team member. They have also completed accredited key worker training, and can offer broader support when required to address all the needs of your family. Learn more about key workers

Here’s what our positive behaviour support therapists say about their work and how they can support your child:

Getting started with Plumtree

We understand that every family is unique and parents know their child best. Here’s a step-by-step guide about starting with us for families with or without NDIS funding.

Positive behavioural therapy Marrickville

Plumtree Children’s Services Centre

Address: Jarvie Park, Yabsley Ave, Marrickville NSW 2204

P: 02 9572 8840

E: info@plumtree.org.au

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm)

Fill out our contact form to learn more.

Explore our blog stories

For families
For professionals
By families

Now & Next: our growth and achievements

Plumtree’s award-winning Now & Next enables children with disability and their families to thrive. A global benchmark analysis shows how far the program has come. We are passionate about innovation…

Read more

Contact us

If you have any questions about us or want to find out more about starting at Plumtree, please get in touch.

Explore some programs and services