Smiley Happy People

OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING is the skill of carefully looking at an object, person, animal, or scene and drawing what is actually seen rather than what is imagined. This helps build attention to detail, concentration, visual perception, hand–eye coordination, and confidence in expressing ideas. Through observational drawing, children learn to notice shapes, lines, textures, sizes, patterns, and spatial relationships in the world around them. It also supports creativity, patience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation by encouraging children to slow down, focus, and engage mindfully with their environment. We love this observational drawing from one of our Smiley Happy 6 year olds - while drawing these two dinosaurs, he has explored scale, captured distinguishing features, and looked at the dinosaurs from different perspectives.

***Spotlight on INTEROCEPTION*** 'Interoception' can be thought of as a mind-body connection. Having a strong interoceptive sense means having a strong sense of the physical self, and what you need to promote comfort at any given time. Being able to confidently act on your body’s needs makes everything a bit easier... you are likely able to make it to the bathroom before an accident, eat food before you feel light-headed, and stop eating before you feel sick.
We know that individuals who find it challenging to accurately process the body's internal signals may find it more difficult to master skills such as toileting, healthy eating, or emotionally regulation. Our program uses emotion mapping, mindfulness, verbal prompts and visual aids to promote children's interoceptive awareness. In response to our 'My body is feeling...' Interoception Wall, one client (aged 6) has shared her insights into body signals and what they mean for her. We love the details she has captured in the facial expression, and how this also shows her understanding of non-verbal cues. See below for ideas on how you can support this learning at home :)

A tribute written by Suzie
IN LOVING MEMORY OF BEAUTIFUL MILLY
~ Therapy Dog extraordinaire ~

Milly,

You were never just a dog, you were my constant, my comfort, and my heart walking beside me every single day.

In the times I needed you most, you somehow always knew. When I hurt my back, when I had shingles, or whenever I was unwell, you stayed so close. You barely left my side, sitting patiently next to me, or curled up on my bed (our little secret). Your presence was healing in a way words can never fully explain.

Every day, I looked forward to coming home, knowing you would be there. The way you greeted me at the door, full of warmth, excitement, and unconditional love, made even the hardest days feel lighter.

You were my little shadow. Wherever I went, you followed, even into the bathroom, never missing an opportunity for a quick pat or simply to be near me. You didn’t just stay close physically; you stayed close to my heart in a way that felt so deeply connected.

Your intuition was something truly special. I will never forget that school visit, when you greeted everyone, then quietly made your way across the room to a young boy sitting alone. Without hesitation, you placed your head gently on his lap. In that moment, time seemed to pause. The teachers were moved to tears, asking how you knew he was going through chemotherapy. The truth is, Milly, you just knew. That was your gift.

You were also the most beautiful sister to Shawnee. Watching the two of you wrestle, play, and then lie together in the sunshine, soaking up the warmth, brought so much joy. You loved those simple moments, sunbaking on the lawn, feeling the breeze, completely content.

The beach was your happy place. The way you ran toward the water, free and full of life, diving into the waves without hesitation, it captured everything about you. Joyful, brave, and beautifully alive.

And what an incredible therapy dog you were. You brought comfort, connection, and happiness to so many children. You had a way of reaching hearts that others couldn't, offering calm, safety, and love without needing a single word. It was such a privilege to work alongside you, you truly made a difference in this world.

Milly, you were everything your name represents:

M – Majestic
I – Intuitive
L – Loving
L – Loyal
Y – Yearning (always seeking connection, always giving your heart)

You were deeply loved, and you will be deeply missed. But more than anything, you will always be remembered, for your gentleness, your wisdom, and the extraordinary love you gave so freely.

Forever our girl, Mill Mills 🤍

- Suzie, Marli and the Bissett family

This week we are LOVING reading ‘My Busy Brain’, written and illustrated by local author, nurse, mum and advocate Natalie Shaw.
We recently welcomed Natalie and her children to Smiley Happy People, & they had great fun exploring the therapy rooms and learning more about our Rooms4Regulation program.

Based on the living experiences of her son, ‘My Busy Brain’ is an empowering and relatable story about a boy named Max who shares what it’s like to live with a “busy brain”. Through Max’s cheerful and honest voice, children learn about the challenges and strengths that come with ADHD, and the ways a strong support team, helpful strategies, and even medicine can make a difference. With an empowering message of self-acceptance, this book is perfect for children, parents, and educators looking to understand and celebrate the unique qualities of children with ADHD.
Keen to get your hands on a copy?
Natalie has kindly shared a coupon code for our SMILEY HAPPY PEOPLE community. To enjoy 20% off any purchase, go to https://www.mybusybrain.com.au/shop and use code ‘SHP20’

We welcomed a new client to SHP this week & were delighted to find they had left this message for us on the chalkboard❤️ Thank you for your feedback, it made our day :)
P.S. We love this place too!
If you would like to provide feedback on our services, please go to: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UCUywqGsDYdA4jrS7 to leave a google review, or email feedback to [email protected]

Games with Rules
What games are we enjoying at the moment?
Simon Says - promote short-term memory with this interactive game using lights and sounds (if you were a child of the 80s you'll remember this classic handheld game!).
Camelot Jnr - a multi-level logic game designed to develop logical thinking skills, strategic planning, and visual and spatial perception.
Uno - practice number and colour recognition, develop strategic thinking, and improve fine motor skills with this much-loved card game! For all players, Uno encourages quick thinking and adaptability, as you must constantly adjust your strategy based on the actions of your opponents.
Mastermind - sharpen logical thinking and problem-solving skills to figure out your opponent’s colour sequence.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza - this fast-paced game challenges players to race against each other in a hilarious test of reflexes, timing, and memory
Spot it! - develop focus, visual perception skills, speech-language skills, and fine motor skills. This is a great game for improving visual scanning, rapid decision-making, and processing speed.

***UPCOMING EVENT*** 'NEUROSPICY: A LIVE PODCAST EXPLORING ACCESSIBILITY IN THE ARTS'. We are thrilled to promote this event hosted by local advocate and musician Dan Kerr (creator of Late to the Party podcast)!
When? THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2026 at 7pm
Where? The Round, 379 - 399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading

Neurospicy is a live podcast focused on neurodivergent experiences. This conversation brings together artists, advocates, and audiences to explore how we can support neurodivergent people in the arts to create, participate, and lead.

Community stallholders specialising in neurodivergent-affirming access, tools, and supports will be available before and after the show (stalls open 6pm) . For further info and bookings go to: https://www.theround.com.au/neurospicy2026

What makes you AWESOME?
We like to start the year celebrating strengths, and reinforce this sentiment throughout the program as we support children to have confidence in themselves, develop a growth mindset, and build capacity to enjoy positive interactions with peers. By asking children to identify something they are awesome at, this gives them a sense of pride, celebrates uniqueness, and promotes self-esteem and wellbeing. We think every child that walks through the door is awesome :)

Have you read and signed your Service Agreement?
Your Service Agreement is about the working relationship you have with your service provider. It makes sure that you and your service provider both agree about the supports you will receive, and how these supports will be provided.
For more information, speak with your service provider, support coordinator, or visit:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/