Why Should You Consider a Neuro-behavioural Perspective to understand Unsafe Interactions (Behaviours of Concern)?

Because there are currently dominant systems, models and frameworks in behaviour support practice that are unable to support neuro-affirming, person-centred and trauma-informed practice, for example:

The behaviour of people with disability has been predominantly been understood from the perspective of "functions" - to gain or to avoid something, however this way of understanding behaviour is now considered linear and may be at odds with the person's lived experience.
The behaviour of people with disability has always been understood from the perspective of "thinking", however the reality is that both thinking and feeling influence everyone's behaviour differently.

Having a neuro-behavioural perspective will support you to confidently understand and explain interactions, by understanding how neuroscience explains the relationship between thinking and feeling.

What is the benefit for you?

A clearer, more compassionate way to understand behaviour—one that reflects the complexity of both thought and emotion
Greater confidence in identifying the difference between cognitive-driven behaviours and emotionally-driven responses
The ability to move beyond surface-level explanations and truly understand what’s going on beneath the behaviour
A way to explain behaviour that makes sense to families, support teams, and people with lived experience
Practical capacity to provide relational, co-designed, and human-centred support that actually works

A neuro-behavioural perspective doesn’t just explain behaviour—it helps you connect with the person behind it.
The CALMER® framework is also aligned with NDIS Practice Standards, ensuring your support is both meaningful and compliant.

Welcome to The CALMER Approach Limited

The CALMER Approach is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered NDIS provider delivering:

0110 Behaviour Support
0118 Early Childhood Supports
0128 Therapeutic Supports

We are committed to improving neuro-affirming practice by supporting people through co-designed therapeutic supports and environments that empower meaningful participation.

What is the basis for CALMER Approach Framework?

The CALMER (Cortex, Amygdala, Limbic, Memory and Emotional Regulation) Approach utilises knowledge translation to synthesize neuroscience and behavioural approaches to understand the relationship between emotional regulation and behaviour.
CALMER evidence-informed practice framework is a practical understanding and application of the relationship between neuro-behavioural science.
CALMER is an inclusive, neuro-affirming practice framework that bridges the gap between theory and practice in Positive Behaviour Support.
CALMER® emerged through providing support with—and for—people with disability engaging in unsafe interactions (behaviour of concern). However, the approach is inclusive of everyone and not limited to disability contexts.

What makes CALMER unique?

the focus on including and valuing the emotions of people in the process of understanding them and their behaviour.
the evidence-informed practice framework grounded in a wide range of neuro-behavioural sciences.
the universal principles that everyone needs to feel safe, connected, heard and understood with empathy and authenticity.
the universal understanding how both thinking and feeling influence behaviour differently.
the focus on creating an safe and therapeutic environments.
the focus on an inside-out perspective to facilitate shared meaning as an alternative to simple assign (labels, functions) to the person behaviour
the focus on shared universal humanity through the lens of empathy and authenticity.
the focus on co-designing therapeutic support and building capable environment.

Why CALMER Neuro-Behavioural Infinity Perspective?

Because

Behaviour may be linear. In contrast, emotions are constantly flowing, looping, and shifting—shaped by lived experience and the feeling of safety or unsafety, which directly impacts how a person engages and interacts.
CALMER embraces a neuro-behavioural infinity loop—connecting emotional states to meaningful support, co-designed with the person.
At its heart, CALMER seeks to understand the relationship between emotions and interactions.

The CALMER® Neuro-Behavioural Infinity Experience: Where emotion and interaction meet—continuously.

Why CALMER® Approach?

Because

CALMER® is more than a framework—it's a shared experience.
it provides a practical and accessible alternative that enables the person with disability to share their perspective without comprising safety and responsibility.
it understands and meets people where they are at without assigning "functions" to their behaviour.
it seeks to find shared meaning from everyone's perspective, through empathy and authenticity.
it is a co-designed therapeutic support, building capable environments and enabling a deep dive into the relationship between their emotions and behaviour.
in CALMER co-designed process, the environment, not the person, is the focus of change.
of CALMER's universal principles is that everyone needs to feel safe, connected, heard and understood with empathy and authenticity.

What People Are Saying About CALMER

"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

"As the principles of your model are universal, I am really curious about thinking how I can incorporate them into supporting distress for people living with dementia. As mentioned in and after the session, I see a real strength of your model helping others (carers/staff/family) to understand and to challenge assumptions/perceptions/labels relating to the person they support or interact with". —Michael - Psychiatrist

"It was good to hear a different approach... Very insightful, and justified a lot of unanswered questions."
— Emma, Behaviour Support Practitioner

Highlight: Practical Impact in the Classroom
"Thank you for the presentation, it has shifted my perspective on how I approach working with children, especially in how they perceive their emotional regulation and triggers. I've adopted the strategy of asking the child to draw their zones of regulation and have seen some improvements in classroom attendance and engagement. It's also helped with setting up classroom supports and adjustments."
— Tomme Murrone

"This approach draws from multiple theories and gives us a practical framework we can actually use."
— Alicia McLachlan, Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner / Social Worker

“So I used the different language with an initial convo with the adult- it went much better. The language change seemed to indicate to the adult that I wanted to help.

The frannoram went well with my little one. They were able to give big thoughtful sentences like "my body controls me I don't control my body" and identified that angry and sad are sometimes happening at the same time".

—Danielle - BSP

“I have found myself incorporating many of the concepts learnt from this workshop in my clinical placements and case studies. It has made my approach far more thoughtful and informed, and it has been great to see these learnings translated into practice.”
— Isabela - OT Final-year Student

What Can You Expect from a CALMER® Workshop?

CALMER® workshops are interactive and hands-on—facilitated by the creators of the Approach.
You can apply the framework to real-world scenarios
You can explore how to build therapeutic environments grounded in empathy, emotional insight, and co-designed support.

You can have the opportunity to apply the framework into your case load.
You can have the opportunity to work in small groups.
You can be provided with sample case notes.
You can expect to build capacity to reduce or eliminate the need for restrictive practices

Key Learning Outcomes

By attending this workshop, you will:

Gain access to a practical, neuro-affirming framework co-designed to improve support planning and implementation.
Develop a new perspective on understanding unsafe interactions through the CALMER® Approach.
Apply and integrate new knowledge into real-world scenarios.
Access practical tools to understand the relationship between emotions and behaviour.
Learn key concepts for building capable environments and co-designing therapeutic support in everyday practice.
Bridge the gap between theory and practice—step by step, with the person and their network.
Use neuro-affirming language to strengthen connection, reduce stigma, and support clearer communication and documentation.
Improve alignment with NDIS compliance requirements by applying evidence-informed, person-first strategies in planning and reporting.

Workshop Outline

1. Introduction to CALMER® Approach

Overview of the CALMER® framework and its foundations in neurobehavioural science.

2. CALMER® Co-Designed Process

Starting with understanding the person first.
Understanding the relationship between their emotions and interactions.
Finding Shared Meaning: Understanding the root causes of behaviours.
Co-Planning Therapeutic Support Plans: Developing practical, accessible, and effective implementation.
Plan Activation: Turning plans into actionable steps.
Shared Learning and Reflection: Learning from shared experiences to strengthen practice.

3. Critical Analysis Process

Determining the root cause and contributing factors of each episode of unsafe interaction.
Asking a different question: Was the unsafe interaction the problem, or was it the consequence of the problem to be resolved?

Who Should Attend?

Behaviour Support Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals
Teachers, aides, and school staff supporting students with behaviours of concern

Workshop Details

When: Wednesday, 20 August 2025
Time: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Online live – session will be recorded)
Where: Zoom (link sent upon registration)
Professional Investment: $85 (AUD)
Group Investment: $75 per person for 3 or more

Student Investment: $45
Registration Closes: 18 August 2025 to facilitate the preparation
Includes: 3 CPD Hours + Certificate + Resources

Places are limited to give each participant a voice

Enhance Your Tool Kit with CALMER evidence-informed practice framework.

Join us for an interactive and practical workshop to build capability, improve implementation, and put people first—with empathy and authenticity.

Your Facilitators:

Francisco de Paula is a Neurobehavioural Support Practitioner and the Director of The Calmer Approach Limited. He is a NDIS Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner. He has been working as practitioner since 2011. He completed his B.Ed (Habilitation) at Australia Catholic University in 2005. Francisco continues committed with ongoing professional development, seeking best practice in supporting quality of life. He completed his longitudinal Positive Behaviour Support training with the Institute of Applied Behaviour Analysis (IABA), NMT, Polyvagal Informed Practice, CPS and more. Francisco has been presenting The CALMER® Approach model at national and international conferences including ASID, AASE and more as he has continued to pursue his passion for closing the gap between theory and practice in positive behaviour support.

Amy de Paula is an Occupational Therapist who has been working in community disability settings for over twenty years. With a passion for meaningful engagement and co-design, she loves anything that leads to people having autonomy and participation in their lives.

The CALMER® Approach model has been developed by Francisco and Amy out of a passion for evidence-informed practice and a desire to embed co-design in practice for meaningful impact into everyday Positive Behaviour Support practice.

Want to Learn More or Bring CALMER® to Your Team?

Note: Our website is currently being updated. For the most accurate and up-to-date workshop information and registration, please visit our Humanitix event page.

Notes: We aim to make our sessions financially accessible to everyone. Please contact us if cost is a barrier. Custom sessions can be tailored for groups—reach out to us at: info@calmerapproach.com