Behaviour Support with the CALMER Approach
Behaviour is rarely random—it’s shaped by a wide range of events and contributing factors.
You and I share the need to feel safe, connected, heard, and understood — yet our behaviour may differ as a reflection of our unique lived experiences, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions of the environment in the here and now.
CALMER helps us share an understanding of the relationship between past and present through a neuro-behavioural, co-designed, and neuro-affirming way of supporting people. It offers an meaningful way of understanding the relationship between emotions and behaviour — influencing every person’s actions in every moment. CALMER focuses on creating safe, authentic environments where people can thrive.
What Makes CALMER Different in Behaviour Support?
- Co-Designed & Neuro-Affirming Support is not imposed but co-created, with the person and their network at the centre.
- Meaning in Context: The same behaviour can mean different things at different times — CALMER equips you to look beyond the surface.
- Chain of Events: Every behaviour arises from a sequence of contributing factors, not from one simple cause.
- Thinking & Feeling: Both influence behaviour — but in different ways. Understanding the difference matters.
- A Different Question: CALMER asks, “Is the behaviour the problem, or is it the consequence of the problem?”
- Practical and Accessible Clarity: CALMER equips you to know and understand the difference — making support safe, meaningful, and sustainable.
What Makes CALMER Different in Behaviour Support?
CALMER is designed to be realistic and usable in everyday life — not just theory on paper. It meets people where they are, in the moments that matter most.
- Simple language, clear principles: No jargon. You don’t need a clinical background to use CALMER.
- Works across settings: Schools, homes, disability services, workplaces, and communities.
- Step-by-step approach: Tools that can be applied immediately, in real time.
- Capacity building: Strengthens families, educators, and practitioners — not just the individual plan.
- Accessible formats: Delivered through workshops, resources, and therapeutic support — online and in-person.
This is what it means to be part of a living ecosystem of shared humanity — where behaviour is understood through empathy and authenticity, not just managed.
What People Are Saying
I explored approaches like the Neurosequential Model, the Low Arousal Approach, and the Trauma Wisdom Circle — all of which added value, but still felt incomplete. What I love about CALMER is how it brings the research from all these pioneers and much more together into one approach.”
— Pam, Autistic parent and family educator
“It was good to hear a different approach… Very insightful, and justified a lot of unanswered questions.”
— Emma, Behaviour Support Practitioner
“We see this training as a significant milestone in our focus to continuously improve the quality of supports delivered to participants”.
NDIS Provider
“As the principles of your model are universal, I see a real strength of your model in helping others — carers, staff, and families — to understand and challenge assumptions, perceptions, and labels relating to the person they support or interact with.”
Michael, Psychiatrist
“I wasn’t sure about having yet another behaviour support plan… but you started from the beginning and helped us understand why the behaviours were escalating. You made it simple and practical—we feel like we have our life back.”
— Amy, Parent
“We see this training as a significant milestone in our focus to continuously improve the quality of supports delivered to participants”.
NDIS Provider