Big and small behaviours: Seeing the signals, not just the struggles

A workshop series about behaviour presented by Ann Greer

• 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday, 23 July
• 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday, 6 August
• 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday, 20 August

Sometimes behaviour gets labelled as “challenging,” but what if it’s a message, a clue, a call for connection?

This workshop invites families, support workers, and educators to pause, step back, and look beyond the behaviour to see the person. We’ll explore how behaviours that seem to get in the way of community connection, learning, or living a good life are often signs of deeper issues, like unmet needs, environments that don’t fit, or goals that aren’t meaningful to the person.

We’ll take a closer look at how:

• sensory differences (like noise sensitivity or sensory overload) can trigger or shape behaviour
• medical issues, pain, or fatigue can go unnoticed and misinterpreted
• a lack of control or choice in everyday life can lead to frustration, withdrawal, or resistance
• behaviour is often a form of communication, telling us something important if we take the time to listen.

This workshop encourages slowing down, observing, and truly getting to know the person, their interests, communication style, and what brings them joy. Together, we’ll explore practical, person-centred ways to create the conditions for belonging and growth, leading to the good life.

Register to attend this workshop series

For families

• Build a deeper understanding of what behaviour might be telling you, whether boredom, frustration, pain, or a lack of meaningful connection.
• Explore how to observe gently and with curiosity, to better understand your family member’s needs, interests, and sensory world.
• Consider how constantly prompting or directing can unintentionally limit independence and cause stress, and how stepping back can open up new opportunities.
• Reflect on ways to offer more choice and control in everyday life, supporting autonomy and confidence.

For support workers

• Understand behaviour as a response to the environment, not just something to “fix.”
• Learn how observation, curiosity, and patience lead to better outcomes than behaviour management.
• Explore how to support meaningful activities and genuine relationships.

For teachers

• See behaviour through the lens of unmet needs, learning styles, or sensory experiences.
• Consider how classroom environments and expectations affect student well-being.
• Reflect on how getting to know students’ interests and communication styles can lead to deeper engagement.

Register to attend this workshop series

Workshop details

• Online, via Zoom
• Three sessions
  • 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday, 23 July
  • 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday, 6 August
  • 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday, 20 August
• Each session will consist of
  • A presentation
  • An opportunity to interact and ask questions.

Good to know

• Each session in this series builds on what you’ve learned in the previous one, so we recommend that you register to attend all three sessions.
• The final part of each session will be highly interactive, with lots of time for Q&A. If you can attend in person, you’ll get the most from these sessions.
• For a limited time, everyone who registers will be able to access a replay of the presentation portion of each session.
• Because of the potentially personal nature of the conversations, there will be no replays of the Q&A sections.
• Our funding from the NDIS through a Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant allows us to cover all the costs associated with delivering this exciting event so that you can attend free of charge.

Register to attend this workshop series