Fire Setting and Arson Support Resources
What is Fire Setting and Arson?
A high-risk behaviour that needs understanding and safety
Fire setting or arson is when a person deliberately lights fires. This can range from small acts of curiosity to serious, dangerous incidents. While fire setting can feel alarming and unsafe, it’s important to understand that it often has complex underlying causes not simply “bad” behaviour or criminal intent. Sometimes fire setting is linked to sensory curiosity (being drawn to light or warmth), thrill-seeking, coping with stress, communication difficulties, or underlying mental health challenges. Addressing the root causes safely and compassionately is key to preventing harm and supporting change.
It can look different in every person
Not everyone who sets fires does it for the same reasons. Some may experiment with matches or lighters out of curiosity. Others may light fires during times of stress or emotional dysregulation. For some, it’s an impulsive action driven by sensory needs or seeking comfort. Recognising these differences helps professionals and carers respond appropriately and focus on prevention and safety without shame or blame.
Support must focus on safety, not punishment
Reacting with fear, punishment, or threats rarely stops fire setting and can increase feelings of shame or secrecy. Real support requires calm supervision, addressing sensory or emotional triggers, and building safer ways for a person to manage their needs. With compassionate, structured guidance, people can learn safe habits and reduce fire-setting behaviours, keeping themselves and others out of danger.
Championing People who engage in Fire Setting/Arson
Fire setting is a high-risk behaviour, but it doesn’t mean someone is beyond help. We work carefully with individuals, families, and professionals to understand why it’s happening and create safe, proactive strategies for change.
Supporting emotional regulation and coping skills
We teach calming strategies to manage big emotions or stress that may lead to unsafe fire-setting behaviour.
Creating safe, supervised environments
We help families and carers set up spaces and routines that remove access to ignition sources and keep everyone safe.
Building communication and trust
We help individuals express feelings of curiosity or frustration in safe, open ways to avoid secrecy or shame.
Teaching safer sensory alternatives
We introduce safe, supervised activities (like sensory lighting tools) that provide similar input without risk.
Collaborating with fire safety experts and services
We work with families, fire safety professionals, and mental health specialists to ensure a consistent, risk-aware support plan.
How we can help with those who engage in Fire Setting/Arson?
Whole Family Developmental Support →
Coaching for families to understand why fire setting may occur
Support for creating safe home environments and clear safety routines
Guidance for carers to respond calmly, without shame or fear
Functional Capacity & Risk Assessments →
Assessments to evaluate risk factors and environmental triggers
Recommendations for supervision, safety tools, and environmental changes
NDIS planning to include therapeutic and safety supports
Skill-Building and Safe Expression →
Coaching for emotional literacy and self-regulation tools
Structured, supervised activities to replace risky behaviours
Support for building trust, communication, and safe routines
Positive Behaviour Support →
Behaviour plans that reduce access and risk while addressing underlying needs
Strategies to redirect fascination with fire in safe, structured ways
Training for educators and carers to recognise patterns and respond early
Psychology and Mental Health →
Therapy to explore emotional distress, impulsivity, or trauma history
Building emotional regulation and safer outlets for expression
Support for managing anxiety, sensory-seeking, or curiosity behaviours
Regional Intensives →
In-home safety planning and hands-on support for high-risk environments
Training for families and schools in rural communities
Building strong networks of care around the individual
Say G’day today and we can work together to see what we can do to support you.
Hear it from real families
“Before we understood what was really going on for J, every day felt like a struggle. Our support workers were doing their best, but nothing seemed to click. It often felt like we were all trying to push J into doing things, and the more we pushed, the more he shut down.
When Brooke and her team explained Autism & PDA to us, it was like someone finally turned the light on. We realised he wasn’t being difficult, he was doing everything he could to feel safe and in control.
With Brooke’s help, our whole approach changed. His support workers stopped trying to force things and started meeting him where he’s at by giving him time, space, and choices.
Now, J’s so much more relaxed. He actually wants to spend time with his workers because they see him for who he is. He laughs more, joins in on his own terms, and doesn’t feel like he has to mask or meet anyone else’s expectations.
It’s been incredible to watch him grow into himself, just by being accepted”
- J’s Mum
*Story and photo shared with permission. Not for reproduction.
Real people. Real experience.
Here for you.
We’re not just professionals — we’re people who get it.
Our team is proudly autistic-led, trauma-informed, and shaped by lived experience. We’ve sat on both sides of the table — as clinicians, as family members, and many of us as neurodivergent individuals ourselves.
We understand that life isn’t always neat or easy, and behaviour support should never feel like a judgement or try to change who you are.