Behave: The podcast to unlearn behaviour

The Zones of Regulation are on classroom walls everywhere. But are they helping people understand their emotions, or quietly teaching them which feelings are allowed?Ellie and Erika are joined by Catherine, a rural paediatric OT from Belong Occupational Therapy, to get into one of the most popular regulation frameworks used in schools and therapy. We look at what the Zones do well, where they can go sideways, and why regulation is a lot messier than a coloured chart.We talk emotional literacy, interoception, masking and co-regulation. We also ask why helping someone tune into their body signals might be more useful than asking them which colour they’re in. And we share practical ways to support big feelings without shame, judgement or “green is best” thinking.Because every zone has a purpose. When we get curious about what’s going on underneath instead of rushing someone back to green, a lot more starts to make sense.Learn more about the hosts!!Eleanor Brink - MEd., BCBA, Advanced/Specialist BSPErika Gleeson - OAM, Speaker, Advanced/Specialist BSPCatherine Elder - Director of Belong Occupational Therapy

Reinforcement good. Punishment bad. Right?Not exactly.In this episode, Ellie and Erika unpack two of the most misunderstood concepts in behaviour support: reinforcement and punishment.Because despite how often these words get thrown around in parenting, education and disability spaces, most people aren't actually using them the way behaviour science intended.We explore why reinforcement isn't the same as reward, why punishment isn't always what people think it is, and how some of the most common strategies used with children and adults can accidentally reinforce the very behaviours we're hoping to reduce.Along the way, we tackle sticker charts, time-outs, bribery, natural consequences, sensory needs, and the ethical questions that come up when behaviour change becomes the goal.Because understanding the learning principle doesn't automatically tell us what the right support response is.Learn more about the hosts!!Eleanor Brink - MEd., BCBA, Advanced/Specialist BSPErika Gleeson - OAM, Speaker, Advanced/Specialist BSP

Joined by Aaron Miller, we're tackling a big one: what does good behaviour support actually look like?We unpack some of the biggest myths in the behaviour world, why behaviour isn't something to "fix", and why reducing behaviour isn't the same as improving someone's quality of life.Plus, we're sharing a few Behaviour Support Practitioner "hills we're willing to die on"… and some of them might be controversial.If you've ever wondered what separates good behaviour support from the tick-box version, this episode is for you.Learn more about the hosts!!Eleanor Brink - MEd., BCBA, Advanced/Specialist BSPErika Gleeson - OAM, Speaker, Advanced/Specialist BSP

In this episode, Erika and Ellie unpack one of the most misunderstood profiles in the neurodiversity space: PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Persistent Drive for Autonomy).We dive into what PDA actually is, why it has so many different names, and what is really happening in the nervous system when everyday expectations feel like genuine threats. We explore why traditional parenting, teaching and support strategies often backfire, and why approaches based on collaboration, flexibility and connection tend to be far more effective.You'll hear us bust some common myths, discuss communication styles that can reduce stress and resistance, and explain why PDA isn't about refusing to cooperate; it's about surviving overwhelming feelings of loss of control.Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, support worker, or someone with PDA yourself, this conversation has the potential to completely change how you understand behaviour.This is one we genuinely hope gets shared far and wide. Because when we misunderstand PDA, we often respond in ways that make life harder for everyone involved. But when we understand what's happening beneath the surface, everything starts to make a lot more sense. 💙Learn more about the hosts!!Eleanor Brink - MEd., BCBA, Advanced/Specialist BSPErika Gleeson - OAM, Speaker, Advanced/Specialist BSP

The NDIA changes announced last month have left a lot of people overwhelmed, confused and for some, scared. Judging by the response to our Instagram poll, this is the topic people most wanted unpacked properly. So that’s exactly what we did.In this episode, we revisit what the NDIS was actually designed to be in the first place (spoiler: an insurance scheme), what the proposed changes really mean in practical terms, and what families, providers and participants can start doing now to prepare.We also dive into some of the uncomfortable conversations happening behind the scenes in the sector right now — including sustainability, evidence, funding pressures and the growing gap between what people need and what systems are realistically resourced to provide.There may be a few controversial thoughts in this one… but avoiding the conversation isn’t helping anyone.This episode isn’t about panic. It’s about understanding the landscape, cutting through the noise, and helping people get on the front foot.Learn more about the hosts!!Eleanor Brink - MEd., BCBA, Advanced/Specialist BSPErika Gleeson - OAM, Speaker, Advanced/Specialist BSP