The life of a Behaviour Support Practitioner on the Atherton Tablelands

Positive Behaviour Support on the Atherton Tablelands can look quite different to PBS in the city! Here’s a peek into the work life of local behaviour support practitioner, Kim Ottone.

The life of a Behaviour Support Practitioner on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland

Welcome to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) on the Atherton Tablelands, where I can drive hundreds of kilometres in any given week, from bushland to rainforest, in fog and torrential rain, and everything in between.

My week can take me west to Ravenshoe, out to the bush to Irvinebank, north to Mareeba, Atherton, Tolga and everywhere in between.

Sometimes I have to give way to the locals:

And I even get to make new friends along the way:

Working in PBS in Regional Queensland

What PBS looks like in practice

We are so limited in our NDIS services up here. I love that I can provide an in-person service that would otherwise be delivered by telehealth. PBS on the Atherton Tablelands isn’t just about lengthy reports, documentation and observations. It’s about people’s quality of life and helping people to do the things they love and go to the places they enjoy.

It’s about skill building and positive strategies that can be easily adapted and implemented. PBS is about giving an individual a voice, and choice and control over how they live their lives.

Sometimes this can look like meeting somewhere in nature:

Or just sitting and chatting in a quiet space:

Working in the Atherton Tablelands community

It can be challenging working on the Atherton Tablelands: the roads are bad (and sometimes made of dirt and overflowing); people live in remote areas; I travel a lot of kilometres to get anywhere; and sometimes I even get to have a little fun on the drive. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else and I love my community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which locations do you service face-to-face?

Anywhere on the Atherton Tablelands within 60 minutes of Jaggan.

Do you have a clinic on the Atherton Tablelands?

No, we don't have a clinic in the area. I can travel to your home or meet people within the community. It is completely up to the individual.

I don’t have Behaviour Support funding in my plan, what can I do?

If you have Improved Daily Living funding in your NDIS plan, we can access up to 15 hours of that funding to write a Recommendations Report for future Behaviour Support funding.

How can I start seeing a behaviour support practitioner on the Atherton Tablelands?

You can make an online referral anytime on our website, and you are also welcome to contact us if you have any questions.

Where can I learn more about Kim?

Here's an interview with your local behaviour support practitioner on the Atherton Tablelands, Kim Ottone.

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Contributors

Written by Kim Ottone Cert IV in Disability, Diploma in Community Service Coordination, Cert IV in Community Services Work, Behaviour Support Practitioner, Atherton Tablelands

Kim has over 16 years of experience in the disability sector and provides support to people of all ages and diagnoses, including those with complex care needs and behavioural challenges, across community access, in-home care and respite care. Kim is dedicated to delivering person-centred support that promotes dignity, independence and quality of life.

Reviewed by Indi Taylor PGDipPsych, BA/BEd, AdvDipCSC, Cert IV TAE, Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner and Team Leader, Cairns

Indi’s practice is grounded in person-centred, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches. She works with adults with complex presentations including ASD, psychosocial disability, neurodegenerative conditions, and post-stroke support, with a strong focus on dignity, freedom, capacity, and risk.