Understanding Attachment In PBS And Why It Matters

When we talk about behaviour in disability support, we often focus on triggers, functions, and environmental factors. But behind the observable actions are deeper human needs—especially the need for safety, connection, and belonging. This is where attachment theory comes in. For PBS practitioners, understanding attachment can provide critical insights into both the person’s behaviour and the responses of those around them.

What Is Attachment?

Attachment refers to the emotional bond formed between a person and their primary caregivers—usually during infancy, but it continues to evolve throughout life. Secure attachment develops when a caregiver consistently meets a person’s emotional and physical needs in ways that feel safe and responsive. When this bond is disrupted or unreliable, insecure attachment patterns may develop.

Importantly, attachment styles are not fixed. They are shaped by life experiences, trauma, and support systems—and they show up not only in the people we support, but in the behaviour of carers, support workers, and family members too.

In the context of disability, especially for individuals with complex needs or histories of trauma, attachment dynamics can profoundly influence how behaviour is expressed, interpreted, and supported.

Attachment Styles and Their Impact on Behaviour

Attachment Style	Typical Characteristics	Behavioural Expressions in PWD	Common Carer Responses
Secure	Trusts others; confident seeking support; comfortable with closeness and independence.	Engages well with familiar supports; responds to co-regulation; demonstrates flexibility.	Provides consistent, responsive support; emotionally attuned; remains calm under stress.
Anxious (Preoccupied)	Hypervigilant to rejection; craves closeness but fears abandonment.	May be clingy, demanding, or overly reactive when distressed.	May over-function or become emotionally overwhelmed; can personalise the person’s distress.
Avoidant (Dismissive)	Appears independent; uncomfortable with emotional closeness.	Withdraws from connection; may refuse help or resist offers of care.	May minimise emotional needs or focus on tasks rather than relational support.
Disorganised	Experiences both desire for and fear of closeness; often linked to trauma.	May exhibit unpredictable or extreme behaviours; struggles with trust and safety.	May fluctuate between over-involvement and emotional distancing; may misinterpret behaviour as manipulation or aggression.

Attachment Responses in Practice: PWD and Carers

Both people with disability and their carers (formal and informal) bring attachment histories into the support relationship. For instance:

• A person with avoidant attachment may resist help or misinterpret a carer’s concern as intrusive, leading to behaviours of withdrawal or non-compliance.

• A carer with an anxious attachment style may react strongly to a participant’s distress, potentially escalating rather than de-escalating the situation.

• A disorganised attachment style in either person may result in high stress interactions, misunderstandings, or use of restrictive responses due to fear or frustration.

Understanding these dynamics allows us to move from blame or pathology to curiosity and compassion.

How Positive Behaviour Support Helps

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) provides a respectful, evidence-based framework for supporting people whose behaviours are impacting their quality of life. Attachment-informed PBS considers not just the function of the behaviour, but the emotional safety of the person and their support network.

Key ways PBS aligns with attachment-informed practice include:

• Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) that explores not just environmental triggers but relational dynamics and trauma history.

• Planning for co-regulation, where staff and carers learn to model calm, connected responses.

• Capacity building for carers to identify their own emotional triggers and regulate their reactions.

• Support environments that emphasise predictability, choice, and connection.

Basic Attachment-Informed PBS Strategies

Here are some core strategies PBS practitioners can use to support attachment-informed practice:

1. Prioritise Emotional Safety: Before asking the person to change their behaviour, ask: Do they feel safe, respected, and in control? Safety is the foundation of learning and growth.

2. Build Predictable Routines: Consistent environments help reduce anxiety, especially for people with insecure attachment. Clear expectations, visual schedules, and structured transitions can prevent escalation.

3. Model Calm, Regulated Responses: When behaviour escalates, carers must stay calm and grounded. PBS includes coaching on emotional regulation techniques that support everyone in the environment.

4. Increase Opportunities for Connection: Whether it’s shared meals, preferred activities, or time with trusted staff, connection buffers stress. Behaviour support plans should include opportunities to build trust and relational safety.

5. Train Carers to Reflect, Not React: PBS should include reflective practice for carers: What does this behaviour bring up in me? Why did I respond that way? Helping teams understand their own attachment responses is key to sustainable change.

Conclusion

Attachment theory helps us understand that behaviours of concern often emerge not from defiance, but from unmet relational needs. In the context of disability support, PBS that is informed by attachment theory offers more than just behaviour reduction—it offers healing, trust, and a pathway to connection.

At AHEAD Supports, we embed this understanding into every plan we write and every team we coach. Because people don’t just need strategies—they need to feel seen, heard, and safe.

If you are looking for quality PBS, supervision or want to enter the PBS space as a new practitioner contact us today at wecare@aheadsupports.com.au or use the contact form on our website.