Understanding Behaviour: Why People Communicate in Different Ways

Behaviour is an important form of communication. The way a person acts, responds, withdraws, or interacts can provide valuable information about their emotions, needs, environment, and experiences. Behaviour Support in South Australia focuses on understanding what a person may be communicating through their behaviour instead of simply trying to stop or control it. This approach helps families, carers, and support teams respond with greater empathy, consistency, and respect.

What Does It Mean When Behaviour Is Communication?

Communication is not limited to spoken words. People also communicate through facial expressions, body movements, gestures, sounds, changes in routine, and interactions with others. Some people may communicate their needs clearly through speech, while others may rely more heavily on behaviour.

For example, walking away from a busy room may communicate discomfort with noise. Refusing an activity may indicate confusion, fear, pain, tiredness, or a need for greater choice. Repetitive movements may help a person regulate their emotions or manage sensory input.

Looking beyond the visible action allows support teams to ask a more helpful question: “What is this person trying to communicate?”

Why Do People Communicate Differently?

Every person develops their own way of communicating. Communication may be influenced by several factors, including:

• 1. Age and developmental stage

• 2. Intellectual or cognitive disability

• 3. Autism or other neurological differences

• 4. Speech and language abilities

• 5. Sensory processing needs

• 6. Physical health and pain

• 7. Past experiences or trauma

• 8. Mental health and emotional wellbeing

• 9. Cultural background

• 10. Familiarity with the people and environment around them

A person’s communication can also change depending on the situation. Someone who communicates comfortably at home may become quiet, distressed, or overwhelmed in an unfamiliar setting.

These differences do not mean that a person is unwilling to communicate. They may simply need another method, additional time, clearer information, or a more supportive environment.

Understanding the Purpose Behind Behaviour

Behaviour usually serves a purpose, even when that purpose is not immediately obvious. Understanding its function can help families and support professionals respond more effectively.

Gaining Access to Something

The person may be trying to access an item, activity, place, or interaction. Pointing, reaching, calling out, or moving towards an object may communicate that they want it.

Avoiding or Leaving a Situation

A person may try to escape an activity that feels difficult, painful, confusing, or overwhelming. Refusal or withdrawal may communicate that the task needs to be adjusted or explained differently.

Seeking Connection or Support

Some behaviours may be attempts to gain reassurance, attention, assistance, or social interaction. The person might not have another reliable way to request connection.

Meeting a Sensory Need

Movement, sounds, or repetitive actions may help a person feel calm, alert, or organised. Sensory-seeking behaviour can be a meaningful form of self-regulation.

Communicating Physical or Emotional Discomfort

Sudden changes in behaviour may indicate pain, illness, anxiety, frustration, hunger, tiredness, or emotional distress. Health concerns should always be considered, especially when the behaviour is unusual for the person.

Looking at What Happens Before and After

Understanding behaviour requires more than observing the behaviour itself. It is useful to examine what happened immediately before it, what the person did, and what occurred afterwards.

Important questions may include:

1. 1. Where did the behaviour happen?

2. 2. Who was present?

3. 3. What activity or request came before it?

4. 4. Was the environment noisy, crowded, or unfamiliar?

5. 5. Did the person appear tired, unwell, or uncomfortable?

6. 6. How did other people respond?

7. 7. What changed after the behaviour occurred?

8. 8. Is there a pattern across particular times, places, or activities?

Recording these details over time can reveal patterns that may otherwise be missed. This information can help identify triggers, unmet needs, and practical changes that may reduce distress.

The Role of Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support in South Australia takes a person-centred and evidence-informed approach to understanding behaviour. It considers the whole person, including their communication abilities, relationships, health, daily routines, preferences, strengths, and environment.

The aim is not simply to reduce a behaviour. It is to improve quality of life, increase participation, strengthen communication, and help the person have greater choice and control.

Positive Behaviour Support may include:

• 1. Gathering information from the person and those who know them well

• 2. Identifying patterns and possible triggers

• 3. Understanding the purpose or function of behaviour

• 4. Developing practical strategies for everyday situations

• 5. Teaching safer and more effective communication skills

• 6. Adjusting tasks, routines, and environments

• 7. Supporting carers and staff to respond consistently

• 8. Reviewing strategies as the person’s needs change

Creating an Environment That Supports Communication

The surrounding environment can strongly affect how a person communicates. A supportive environment should make communication easier, reduce unnecessary stress, and give the person meaningful opportunities to express their preferences.

Useful adjustments may include:

• 1. Using clear and simple language

• 2. Giving one instruction at a time

• 3. Allowing extra time for the person to respond

• 4. Offering visual schedules, pictures, symbols, or written choices

• 5. Preparing the person before transitions or changes

• 6. Reducing excessive noise, light, or crowding

• 7. Providing regular breaks

• 8. Offering choices wherever possible

• 9. Keeping routines predictable while allowing flexibility

• 10. Recognising and responding to early signs of distress

Small changes can sometimes prevent a situation from becoming overwhelming.

Teaching Alternative Ways to Communicate

When behaviour is the most effective way a person knows to communicate, simply asking them to stop may leave the underlying need unresolved. The person may require an alternative method that is easier, safer, and equally effective.

Depending on individual needs, alternatives could include:

• 1. Asking for a break

• 2. Using a visual choice board

• 3. Pointing to a picture or symbol

• 4. Using gestures or signs

• 5. Communicating through a device

• 6. Asking for help

• 7. Indicating pain or discomfort

• 8. Saying “no” or requesting more time

• 9. Choosing between two suitable options

Alternative communication skills should be practical and regularly reinforced. Everyone supporting the person should understand how to recognise and respond to them.

Why Consistent Responses Matter

Inconsistent responses can make communication more confusing. If one support person responds calmly while another reacts with frustration, the individual may struggle to understand what is expected.

Families, carers, educators, and other professionals should aim to use the same agreed strategies. This does not mean responding rigidly. It means maintaining a shared understanding of the person’s needs, communication methods, and support plan.

Professionals providing Positive Behaviour Support in South Australia can help support networks develop strategies that are realistic across home, community, education, and care environments.

Respecting the Person Behind the Behaviour

Words influence how people are understood and supported. Labelling someone as “difficult”, “attention-seeking”, or “non-compliant” can overlook the reasons behind their behaviour.

A respectful approach separates the person from the behaviour. Instead of making assumptions, it seeks to understand what happened and what support may be needed.

It is also important to involve the person in decisions wherever possible. Their preferences, goals, comfort, dignity, and right to communicate should remain central to the support process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Every Behaviour a Form of Communication?

Behaviour can provide information about a person’s needs, emotions, experiences, or environment. However, its meaning should not be assumed. Careful observation, consultation, and professional assessment may be needed to understand it accurately.

2. What Should I Do When Someone Shows a Sudden Change in Behaviour?

Check for immediate safety concerns and consider possible pain, illness, medication changes, disrupted routines, sensory overload, or emotional distress. Seek appropriate health or professional support when the change is significant, persistent, or unexplained.

3. How Can a Behaviour Support Practitioner Help?

A behaviour support practitioner can gather information, identify patterns, explore the possible purpose of behaviour, and develop individualised strategies. They may also guide family members, carers, and support teams in applying those strategies consistently.

Conclusion

Understanding behaviour begins with curiosity, patience, and respect. When people look beyond the visible action, they can identify unmet needs, communication barriers, and environmental factors that may be influencing the person.

With thoughtful assessment, appropriate communication tools, and consistent support, individuals can have more opportunities to express themselves, make choices, participate in everyday life, and build greater independence.