In this powerful episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben sits down with Oliver Roschke and John Wooderson of Constructional Solutions to explore how the constructional approach can transform positive behaviour support.
Together, they unpack how many PBS systems—particularly within highly regulated environments—have drifted toward risk management, compliance, and behaviour reduction, often losing sight of the original aim: improving quality of life.
Oliver and John challenge the field to move away from a pathological orientation focused on “problem behaviours” and instead ask a much more human question:
What does this person want their life to look like?
The conversation explores:
The origins of PBS and its evolution in Australia
The influence of Israel Goldiamond, Tom Gilbert, Ted Carr, and Risley
Why restrictive practices can become systemically reinforced
How “problem behaviour” may be the most efficient path to valued outcomes
The power of dual social contracts with both participants and staff
Case examples involving school trauma, dementia care, social isolation, and highly restrictive environments
What practitioners can do tomorrow to start moving from a pathological to a constructional approach to PBS
This episode is both a critique and an invitation: to build systems, services, and supports that center autonomy, meaningful outcomes, and human dignity.
Key takeaway:
Don’t start with what needs to stop. Start with where the person wants to go.
ontinuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 Ethics
IBAO: 1.5 Ethics
QABA: 1.5 Ethics
CBA/CPD: 1.5 Ethics
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Contact Oliver and John:
Constructional Solutions
https://constructionalsolutions.com.au/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-roschke-5ba05074/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wooderson-6257798a/
Links:
The Constructional Approach Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr
Articles and Books Referenced:
Wooderson, J. R., Roschke, O., Fox, R. A., & Hayward, B. A. (2026). Moving from a pathological to a constructional approach to positive behaviour support in Australian disability services. Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2026.2644354
Carr, E. G., Dunlap, G., Horner, R. H., Koegel, R. L., Turnbull, A. P., Sailor, W., ... & Fox, L. (2002). Positive behavior support: Evolution of an applied science. Journal of positive behavior interventions, 4(1), 4-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/109830070200400102
Donnellan, A. M., LaVigna, G. W., Negri-Shoultz, N., & Fassbender, L. L. (1988). Progress without punishment: Effective approaches for learners with behavior problems. Teachers College Press.
Goldiamond, Israel (1974). Toward a Constructional Approach to Social Problems. Behavior and Philosophy 2 (1):1.
Special Series on The Constructional Approach
This episode is the fourth installment in our ongoing series on the constructional approaches in behaviour analysis. I encourage you to check out the first three episodes. If you are new to this topic, Episode 250 is a great place to start
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-250-the-constructional-approach-a-primer-with-awab-abdel-jalil/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-252-applications-of-the-constructional-approach-with-dr-madhura-deshpande/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-257-a-compassionate-approach-to-exposure-therapy-with-danielle-cohen/
Episodes on Positive Behaviour Support
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-23-person-driven-positive-behaviour-support-for-traumatic-brain-injury-with-dr-kate-gould-dpsych/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-43-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-1/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-44-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-2/
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