About the CALMER Approach
At The CALMER Approach Limited, we believe every person has the right — and the need — to feel safe, connected, heard, and understood with empathy and authenticity. This is non-negotiable. We are always reflecting: How is this supporting the person to feel safe and connected?
Our work is guided by the CALMER Framework — a neuro-behavioural, evidence-informed practice that integrates neuroscience, behaviour science, lived experience, and co-design into a living and evolving ecosystem.
The Team
We are a small team—leading and sharing the changes you want to see across the sector and in everyday practice, with empathy and authenticity.
Francisco de Paula
Francisco 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
Amy 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. Amy is also an experienced leader and educator in the disability sector.
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.
Our story
Established in April 2023, CALMER is a not-for-profit organisation registered with the ACNC and an NDIS provider.
At CALMER, people do not work for the organisation — they work with it. This reflects our commitment to co-design, collaboration, and shared humanity. Together, we provide training, workshops, and therapeutic supports that move beyond simply writing plans — because plans must be lived and co-designed.
CALMER always asks: Was the behaviour the problem, or the consequence of the problem? Research reaffirms our belief that the environment is the focus of change, not the person. This shifts the lens to governance, fostering alignment, and building capacity within individuals, families, teams, and systems.
Since its emergence, CALMER has been building bridges locally and abroad — partnering with schools, disability service providers, allied health professionals, families, and communities. This reflects the universal need for human services to be grounded in safety, connection, empathy, and authenticity.
What People Are Saying
“Understanding the CALMER approach helped me reframe my teaching practice, changing the environment and teaching to strengths rather than reacting to behaviour.”
Teacher
“The training reinforced that we sometimes miss the ‘human’ approach. It really comes down to connection and regulation through connection.” “I valued the focus on building capacity, rather than expecting staff to know what to do in the heat of the moment.”
“You explained behaviour and emotional states so clearly and simply that I could apply it immediately with my children.. Your diagrams helped me change how I respond as a parent.”
Irini, mother
“This approach should sit at the foundation of school operations to support the wellbeing of students and staff.”
Heather, School Counsellor
“After completing the training, I felt confident to apply CALMER directly in practice. Explaining the approach supported a more inclusive and collaborative process.”
Alicia McLachlan, Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner / Social Worker
I have already incorporated CALMER concepts into my clinical placements. It has shaped my practice to be more person-centred and capacity-building.”
— Amy, Parent
“The training taught me to avoid assumptions and recognise that there is always more beneath the surface when interpreting behaviour.”
Obinna, Support Worker
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