Building capable environments and co-designing therapeutic support as an alternative to traditional behaviour management

Join us for this practical and interactive 2 hours introductory course into The CALMER Approach model.  What is The CALMER Approach? 

CALMER is a positive, co-designed therapeutic support applicable as an alternative to behaviour support. CALMER focuses on understanding the relationship between emotions and interactions (behaviour) from the person's perspective. 

CALMER utilises knowledge translation to synthesize neuroscience and behavioural approaches into practical and accessible supports. It draws on a range of theories including polyvagal theory, low-arousal approach, collaborative problem solving, positive behaviour support, person-centered practice and trauma informed practice to understand the person, in the context of their own environment. The approach is an engaging and evolving process of learning, understanding and formulating. Proactive and co-regulation strategies are co-designed to create capable and therapeutic environments, support meaningful quality of life and reduce stress-response interactions (behaviours).  

CALMER is person-centered, inclusive, neurodivergent affirming and uses an evidenced informed comprehensive framework to improve quality of life by co-designing with the person and their stakeholders. In CALMER co-designed process the environment is the focus of change and not the person.  

The CALMER Approach journey Over the past two years .

The CALMER Approach has successfully delivered a variety of training, including people with lived experience, families, support workers, allied health professionals and teachers. We believe that understanding the brain and the relationship between emotional regulation and interactions belongs with everyone in all settings. Therefore, we are offering a foundational introductory course that sets the foundation for the long course. Once this foundational model is completed, you can register to complete the remaining modules.  

Who should attend? We believe that CALMER's knowledge and understanding belongs with everyone and in all settings. Everyone is welcome to attend this introductory course. It may be of particular interest for families, support workers, teachers, health and allied health professionals.  

By attending this training session, you will be able to: 

Explain what CALMER is. 

Gain practical knowledge and understanding how the brain works from CALMER's perspective. 

Understand the importance of everyone having a different perspective. 

Learn how to focus on quality of life and building capable environment from the get go saving time. 

Understand the relationship between emotions and safe or unsafe interactions (behaviours of concerns). 

Learn how to share the meaning of an interaction from different perspectives. 

Learn how to co-design practical and therapeutic strategies that works. 

Learn how to use effective co-regulation strategies to support the person to regain emotional regulation. 

Learn how to use new and effective tools to facilitate the formulation and finding shared meaning process.

Receive 2 hours CPD  

Your Facilitators:  

Francisco (Fran) de Paula is passionate about supporting all to reach their potential. The CALMER Approach was developed out of his passion to close the gap between theory and practice while looking for ways to make more meaningful impact in positive behaviour support. 

Francisco has been working in the disability sector for over 20 years, starting as a support worker in accommodation, day program, recreation program and employment settings. Since 2011, he has been working as Behaviour Support Practitioner and an Education and Training facilitator (in both TAFE and private courses). He is certified Person Centered Active Support facilitator since 2016 (through Greystanes Disability Services, NSW). Person-centred practice, neuroscience and trauma-informed practice strongly influence his practice and training.  

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. 

Testimonials:

Dec 2023 "I am an Autistic parent to two amazing multiply neurodivergent adult sons and have been educating/supporting families for over 24 years. I have been trained in ABA - 25 years ago, then PBS ( my first training was Gary Livigne as well 🤣) and was a PBS consultant for a long time but as a parent none of it 'felt right' so I have been adding to my training over the past 25 years to include The Floortime Model, SCERTS, Self-Regulation, The Low Arousal Approach, Collaborative Proactive Solutions, the Neurosequential model, Trauma therapy, Interoception, Low Demand Parenting and in the past few years all the neuroscience with Dr.'s Naomi Fisher, Lori Desautels and recently signed up for the Trauma Wisdom Circle with the Academy of Therapy Wisdom. I just LOVE how you have pulled the research behind all of these pioneers together into one approach" Pam  

April 2023 "We see this training as a significant milestone in our focus to continuously improve the quality of supports delivered to participants. CALMER training really reinforced to me the benefits of what we do and why it's important to work on the meaning of the problem vs. the 'problem' behaviours". NDIS provider  

Notes: 

We aim to make our sessions financially available to everyone, so please contact us if money is a barrier. Custom sessions can be tailored for groups, please contact: info@calmerapproach.com click on the link to register