Proactive vs. Reactive Behavior Supports in ID/DD: Building a Foundation for Meaningful Change

Introduction

Supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) involves more than managing challenging behavior—it’s about enriching lives through dignity, skills, and choice. Two approaches dominate in behavior support practices:

• Proactive strategies, which anticipate and prevent difficulties before they occur
  

• Reactive strategies, which respond to behavior after it unfolds

Balancing both can create safer, happier, and more inclusive environments. Let’s explore what each entails and how together they form a respectful, evidence-based framework.

What Are Proactive Behavior Supports?

Proactive behavior supports are preventive, person-centered, and empowering. Rather than trying to suppress problem behaviors, these strategies aim to understand their origins and equip individuals with better ways to express needs.

Key components include:

• Functional behavior assessment (FBA): Identifies the triggers and functions of behavior, forming a foundation for planning (Association for Science in Autism Treatment).
  

• Environmental adjustments and routines: Modifying surroundings and establishing predictability to reduce stressors (NDCPD).
  

• Skill-building and replacement behaviors: Teaching communication, social, and self-management skills that serve the same need as the challenging behavior (DC Department on Disability Services).
  

• Positive reinforcement and supportive environments: Encouraging adaptive behaviors in ways aligned with individual values and preferences (NDCPD).
  

• Person-centered, inclusive design: Avoiding punitive methods; instead, designing supports that respect dignity and integrate social and cultural contexts (AAIDD).
  

In essence, proactive supports are about creating conditions that make challenging behavior less likely—and teaching individuals more constructive ways to meet their needs.

What Are Reactive Behavior Supports?

Reactive behavior supports come into play when challenging behaviors occur. They focus on safety, de-escalation, and stabilizing the situation—but should always be used sparingly and respectfully.

Typical reactive strategies include:

• Crisis intervention and de-escalation: Using low-arousal techniques such as calm tone, minimal demands, and physical space to reduce tension (Challenging Behaviour Foundation).
  

• Structured behavior intervention plans (BIPs): Applying tailored, evidence-informed responses based on the individual’s Functional Behavior Assessment (Arizona Institute for Autism).
  

• Safety-first responses: Aimed at preventing harm during acute situations, not long-term behavior correction (Challenging Behaviour Foundation).

Reactive supports are essential in moments of crisis, but the goal is to minimize reliance on them through effective proactive planning.

Why Proactive > Reactive—and How They Work Together

A good behavior support plan emphasizes proactive over reactive strategies. As noted by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation:

"A good Positive Behavior Support plan has more proactive strategies than reactive ones... the focus is not just on the challenging behaviour but provides ways to support the person to have a good life..." (Challenging Behaviour Foundation)

Why this matters:

• Sustainable change: Proactive supports address underlying causes and teach skills that last, while reactive strategies only manage crises temporarily.
  

• Respect and dignity: Proactive methods prioritize empowerment and inclusion, opposing aversive or restrictive practices (AAIDD).
  

• Holistic success: Proactive planning fosters independence, self-expression, and community participation—key goals in IDD services.

When reactive strategies are necessary—such as during a crisis—they should follow from proactive planning (e.g., specifying de-escalation techniques and safety protocols within a Behavior Intervention Plan) (Challenging Behaviour Foundation, Arizona Institute for Autism).

Final Thoughts

Effective behavior support in ID/DD is rooted in proactivity—understanding individuals, crafting environments that work for them, and teaching meaningful alternatives to challenging behaviors. Reactive strategies serve as essential back-up, ensuring safety during crises, but should never overshadow or replace respectful, person-centered planning.

By centering proactive supports—and embedding reactive ones where necessary—we uphold rights, dignity, and the goal of supporting people to lead fulfilling, inclusive lives.

References & Further Reading

• AAIDD: Positive, non-aversive behavioral supports emphasizing dignity and least restrictive strategies (AAIDD).

• Challenging Behaviour Foundation: Guidance on proactive vs reactive strategies in PBS plans (Challenging Behaviour Foundation).

• NDCPD: Positive Behavior Supports as proactive, respectful, and skill-focused (NDCPD).

• Arizona Institute for Autism: Practical guide on proactive and reactive ABA strategies (Arizona Institute for Autism).

• ASAT: Understanding functional behavior assessments (ASAT).

• DC Department on Disability Services: Behavior support planning guide (DC DDS).