About
Hi, I'm Jodie
Child Development & Behaviour Consultant, paediatric nurse, counsellor, educator and author. I help parents, carers and educators understand what is happening underneath children's behaviour — and turn that understanding into practical support that works in everyday life.
For me, behaviour has never been just about what a child is doing. It is about understanding why something is hard, what their developing brain is trying to manage, and what support might help them succeed.
For many years, I worked with children and families as a paediatric nurse. I saw children at their most vulnerable, families trying to make sense of complex situations, and parents doing their very best while often being given an overwhelming amount of information.
But my understanding of behaviour changed even more when I became a parent myself. The challenges of parenting made me curious about what was actually happening inside the developing brain. Why could a child manage something one day but not the next? Why did asking again sometimes make things worse? Why could a child know exactly what they were supposed to do but still struggle to do it? Why did some behaviours seem completely out of proportion to what had happened?
The more I learned about child development, emotional regulation, executive functioning, attachment and the nervous system, the more behaviour began to make sense. And when I started responding differently, I saw changes not only in my child, but in myself as a parent. That experience became a huge part of why From the Start exists today.
Behaviour is information
When a child is struggling, it is easy to focus on the behaviour we can see.
What we can see
- The shouting.
- The refusal.
- The meltdown.
- The avoidance.
- The impulsivity.
- The child who appears not to listen.
- The child who does not start the task.
- The child who falls apart over something small.
- The child who seems to cope at school and unravels at home.
What may be underneath
- a nervous system that is overwhelmed
- executive functioning demands that are too high
- difficulty regulating emotions
- sensory needs
- anxiety
- fatigue
- communication difficulties
- developmental expectations that exceed current skills
- neurodivergence
- a skill that is still developing
Understanding this does not mean removing boundaries or expectations. It means responding with more information.
My approach
My work is built around three simple ideas.
Understand what is happening underneath
Before asking, "How do we stop this behaviour?", we look at what might be making the situation difficult for the child.
Support the developing skill
Children are still developing the skills needed for regulation, flexibility, attention, planning, impulse control, communication and problem-solving.
The goal is not simply to manage behaviour, but to support those skills as they grow.
Support Through Connection
When children feel connected and understood, they are better supported to learn, grow and build new skills. Adults can provide clear guidance while keeping the relationship at the centre.
Making the science useful
There is an enormous amount of information available about parenting, ADHD, emotional regulation, child development and behaviour.
The problem is that much of it can feel complicated, contradictory or impossible to apply when you are standing in the kitchen with a child who is already overwhelmed.
My role is to translate the science into something useful. Not just: "Your child has difficulty with executive functioning." But: "Here is what that might look like at 7:30 in the morning, why getting dressed feels harder than it should, and what you can change tomorrow."
That is the kind of support I want families and educators to find at From the Start.
My professional background
My work is informed by more than 15 years of experience working with children and families across paediatric healthcare, child development, counselling and family support.
- Registered Nurse with extensive paediatric experience
- Graduate Certificate in Child Health
- Diploma of Counselling, including advanced study in child development and effective parenting
- Circle of Security® facilitator training
- Additional training in child psychology, neuropsychology, emotional and behavioural development
- Experience supporting children and families across hospital, community, education and disability settings
- Author of But Why!? Understanding Your Child's Brain and Behaviours
I continue to bring together child development research, clinical experience and practical family support in the resources, consultations and education I provide.
From the Start
From the Start was created around a simple belief: when we understand what is happening underneath the behaviour, we are in a much better position to help.
Sometimes that means changing the environment. Sometimes it means reducing a demand. Sometimes it means supporting regulation before asking for cooperation. Sometimes it means teaching a skill differently. And sometimes it simply means recognising that a child is having a hard time doing something that adults assumed they should already be able to manage.
My aim is to help parents and educators feel more confident asking: "What is making this hard for this child's brain right now?" rather than assuming: "Why won't they just do it?"
How I can help
You can work with From the Start in the way that suits you best.
Parents & Families
Individual consultations, education and practical support for behaviour, emotional regulation, executive functioning, neurodivergence and everyday parenting challenges.
Explore SupportEducators & Schools
Professional development, workshops and practical resources that help teams understand behaviour through a development-informed and neurodiversity-affirming lens.
Explore Educator SupportBooks
Explore From the Start books designed to make child development and behaviour easier to understand.
Explore BooksCourses & Resources
Learn at your own pace through online courses, videos, printable tools and member resources.
Browse LearningUnderstanding the brain behind the behaviour.
Understand what is happening underneath. Support the developing skill. Protect the relationship.