Cia Hudson
Behaviour Support Practitioner
What led you to becoming a Behaviour Support Practitioner?
I have worked as a primary and secondary teacher in Queensland for years, where I wrote and carried out Individualised Education Plans centred around behaviour. Over time I realised how passionate I am about working out why a behaviour was happening, and then being able to help students, families and teams respond in the best way to ensure the students’ success and ability to live the best life they can live. That curiosity led me to studying psychology, and I believe behaviour support is a very meaningful way to bring my classroom experience and my clinical training together.
What values inform your approach?
The values that inform my approach are respect, dignity and collaboration. Every behaviour has a reason, and the person at the centre knows their own life best. I believe in clear communication, in listening before problem-solving and in clear goals and support plans that families and support teams can actually use day to day.
Why do you like working at Brain Sense?
Brain Sense makes brain-based, practical understanding accessible rather than locking it behind clinical language, and that is exactly how I like to work. I’m also part of a small team that communicates regularly and values both evidence-based practice and genuine care for the people we support.
What do you find rewarding about being a Behaviour Support Practitioner?
I love watching someone’s world get a little bigger. It might be a family who feels heard for the first time, a person who finds a new way to communicate what they need or a support team that feels confident instead of overwhelmed. I love that collaboratively developed changes can make a big difference to a person’s quality of life.
What does a ‘win’ look like for you in your work?
A win is when the person I’m supporting has more voice, more choice, more connection and more of what matters to them, and the people around them feel capable, positive and supported. It’s not always dramatic. Sometimes it’s a calmer morning, a successful outing, drop off at school or even a plan that quietly doesn’t need me anymore.
What are some of your personal interests?
Outside of work, I love my morning walks with my two fur babies, spending a warm day splashing in the ocean with my husband and kids and enjoying a great book curled up on the couch. I spend my free time on creative projects, and I also love when I have the opportunity to travel and experience the way other cultures live their lives. I’m in my final years studying to be a psychologist, so there’s always a journal or a research paper within my reach. Whether I’m at work or at play, I’m happiest when I’m learning, creating and connecting with the people around me. It all comes back to a love of helping others thrive.