The Callan Institute, as part of St John of God Hospitaller Services, Ireland, was founded in 1994 to provide training and consultation to staff and families, to support them in the use of effective, non-aversive methods, as they promote and maintain valued lifestyles in the community for people with challenging behaviour and intellectual disabilty.

The Callan Institute’s philosophy and model is based on the work of Dr Gary LaVigna, Dr Tom Willis and Professor Anne Donnellan of the Institute of Applied Behavioural Analysis(IABA), California, USA. In 1992, the St John of God Hospitaller Services entered into a relationship with the IABA and this relationship continues to provide the foundation and support for the Callan Institute’s work.

The Institute provides individual consultation, staff training and regular support to staff and families implementing positive behaviour support plans within the St John of God Hospitaller Services.

The Institute is named after Br Benignus Callan, who strongly believed in the idea of ‘minorities within minorities’. Brother Benignus Callan (1903-1990) entered the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God in November 1922. He was elected Provincial in 1946 and, as Provincial, encouraged the Irish brothers to undertake pioneering work in the United States and Australia.

As General Councillor from 1953 to 1965 he assisted in the government of the Order world-wide. A deeply religious man with a sense of humour, tremendous patience and kindness, he had a quiet tenacity and perseverance when it came to getting things done. The Callan Institute was founded in 1994 in memory of his spirit.