Episode 264: Beyond Behaviour Reduction: Reclaiming the Constructional Approach in PBS with Oliver Roschke & John Wooderson

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/