Introducing the 5P Approach
The 5P Approach provides a practical framework which can be used by professionals and parents who want a better understanding about the behaviour of children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders and how to prevent problems from arising, and who want help with the process of managing behaviour change. Although primarily about managing behaviour, at its core is a focus on prevention (being in the “GREEN” Zone) rather than ‘cure’.
The 5P Approach was developed by Linda Miller and emerged over several years as a result of her work as a specialist educational psychologist working with autism in schools and with families. It developed into a complete framework which has now been tried and tested with many children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders. The 5P Approach can be used with individuals or as a whole school/organisation model for behvaiour intervention.
The 5P Approach is now available in a book Practical Behaviour Management Solutions for Children and Teens with Autism – The 5P Approach. If you want to know more about the approach, the book and its author you can find this by following the links from this page.
The 5P Approach can be used in family based work or within either a special or mainstream school setting. It is easily adapted for use as a general behaviour intervention tool.
How is it different from other approaches to behaviour intervention?
Placing an emphasis on the process of intervention, the 5P Approach outlines a framework to follow. Although there are some practical examples and useful tips, it does not simply provide a list of difficult behaviours and instructions on what could be done to change them (i.e. if he or she does this – then do this).
Instead it sets out a clear pathway to follow, adopting right from the start a practical solution-focused problem-solving approach. Constructed within the context of conclusions drawn by professionals in the field of autism who suggest that behaviour issues only occur in situations where we have not created an autism-friendly environment, or where we have failed to understand or adapt to issues which arise, understanding autism is at the heart of the 5P Approach.
Green, Amber and Red
Amber strategies, the second most important strategies are designed to PRE-EMPT behaviour issues as they emerge, intervening early to get back to Green as soon as possible. Red strategies, the last resort, are designed to act as signals to indicate a Red behaviour has occurred and red actions designed to deal with the issues as quickly as possible with a purpose of getting back to Green.
The process of moving from Red to Green is an integral part of the approach and promotes learning from experience so that Red areas can be avoided the next time a similar situation occurs.
The 5P Approach also recognises, however, that realistically there will always be times when parents, teachers and other professionals encounter situations they find hard to handle (often on a daily basis) and that they look for support in dealing with them. With this in mind, the 5P Approach aims to provide a framework which helps to solve problems but also promotes long-term change and prevention.
What are the 5Ps? Follow the link to read more...
Why does it work? Follow the link to read more...
What training is available? Follow the link to read more...
