Know Your Neuro.org was created by Crystal Collier, PhD, LPC-S, a person in long-term recovery, therapist, educator, and author of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide and Know Your Neuro: Adventures of a Growing Brain children's book series. The Know Your Neuro (Choices) prevention model was selected for the Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Dr. Collier received the Torch Bearer Award from the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, Outstanding Research Award from the Association of Alternative Peer Groups, and voted Counselor of the Year by the Houston Counseling Association.
When completing her 4-year longitudinal, mixed methods dissertation at Episcopal High School in Houston, Texas, Dr. Collier learned that students find neuroscience fascinating and learning how to protect their brain reduced risky behavior. She found that prevention works if it is done consistently! That is why the Know Your Neuro curriculum is designed to be easily integrated into a school's busy class schedule at every developmental stage. Know Your Neuro is based on neuroscience and aims to keep a child's brain protected from high-risk behavior while strengthening executive function skills.