Beyond words: A reflection from health professionals around the meaning of 'hear me, don't blame me' in relation to meeting the needs of young people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions.

This article focuses on a reflective exercise conducted by the Intensive Positive Behaviour Support Service (iPBS) in South Wales, which supports children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism who display challenging behaviours. The iPBS team, grounded in the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework and attachment-informed practice, explored the meaning of the ethos "hear me, don't blame me" through a thematic analysis identifying three key themes: service structure, skills, and approach. The reflection emphasized the importance of a non-blaming, needs-based, and collaborative approach across the young person’s support network to improve quality of life and relationships. The article discusses clinical implications, highlights the value of reflective practice for professional development, and recommends similar reflective exercises for other services to enhance empathy, communication, and systemic support.