The emergence of positive behavioral supports and gentle teaching as the preferred way to handle challenging behaviors contrasts starkly with the use of restraints, punishments, physical abuse and verbal assaults that characterized the lives of people with disabilities in the not-too-distant past. These humane, nonviolent and non-aversive concepts provide family members, educators and caregivers with practical techniques for dealing with challenging behaviors. One reason the techniques have been so successful in responding to challenging behaviors is that they are designed to create positive feelings of safety, trust and love rather than negative feelings such as aggression, anger and fear. These techniques are being slowly implemented in schools, activity centers and training programs around the world. In fact, the IDEA '97 requires educators to identify the most appropriate, positive ways to respond to challenging behaviors.

Pioneers in the field include Dr. John McGee, founder and director of the Gentle Training Institute, and Dr. Herb Lovett, author of the best selling book, Learning to Listen, who was an untiring advocate of the use of positive behavioral supports.