Rooms For Regulation™

An innovative program utilising intentional teaching and evidence-based strategies in a play-based learning environment

Supporting emotional-regulation through play

Our goal is to support each child to become the best version of themselves.

We provide early intervention for children who are experiencing developmental, behavioural and/or emotional regulation challenges.

Our rooms help children to develop an emotional-regulation 'toolkit' that will support them for life.

Our play-based early intervention programs help with transition to school, social skills, fine and gross motor development, and foster a positive sense of identity through a strengths-based approach.

We work with children aged 0-18 years, and utilise intentional teaching and evidence-based strategies in play-based learning environments. We provide early intervention for children who are experiencing developmental, behavioural and/or emotional-regulation challenges. We specialize in ASD, ADHD, Anxiety and PDA, and our approach draws on a range of evidence-based programs including: The Alert Program®, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), the Berry Street Educational Model (BSEM), and Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

calm room rainforest

art room sensory

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Come and have fun with us!

Rooms For Regulation™

About Smiley Happy People

About Us

We believe that every child who walks through our door
is unique and awesome.

Our Vision is a world where children are empowered with knowledge, skills and strategies to successfully navigate social and physical environments throughout life.

Our innovative Rooms For Regulation™ program empowers each child with strategies to help them:

identify and manage triggers
develop growth mindset
participate more effectively in social and physical environments
improve over-all functioning.

Our one-of-a-kind service is located in Wantirna, Victoria.

Marli Bissett
'Magical Marli'

Marli is a qualified Allied Health Assistant and has completed various professional development relevant to supporting neurodivergent children. Marli also leads our team of Smiley Happy Support Workers and is passionate about early intervention and ensuring children and their families have access to the right supports. Marli works in our group sessions, where we find children gravitate to her calm, caring nature.

To discuss support needs for your child, please contact Marli via email mbsmileyhappypeople@gmail.com or mobile 0479 150 731

Meet the Team

Suzie Bissett

'Super Suze'

Suzie is the founder of Smiley Happy People. She began her career working in early childhood education & care, and soon realised early intervention is the key to helping all children thrive from pre-school to primary school and beyond. Suzie has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Melbourne University), Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies (Griffith University), and has completed Animal Assisted Interventions and Therapy Dog Certification. Suzie leads our 1:1 and group sessions, and brings a wonderful energy and commitment to each child. She takes a strengths-based approach, and her respect for each child’s uniqueness and potential is evident in her warm and responsive interactions.

Our Programs

Programs we offer

One-to-one Support

Suzie works 1:1 with children depending on their individual needs and family or NDIS goals

Term-based Group Programs

Group sessions enhance opportunities for children to develop skills across all areas of development, and learning is reinforced by opportunities for peer scaffolding

Holiday
Programs

Animal-assisted
Intervention

Looking for something more than school-based holiday programs? We offer programs during holidays that combine fun AND early intervention support

Contact Suzie to discuss how gentle Shawnee can help your child with social and emotional development

We also have a team of fantastic Support Workers,
so please get in touch to discuss your needs

Rooms For Regulation™

A unique circuit of sensory rooms supporting emotional-regulation through play

Our innovative Rooms For Regulation™ program is designed to increase your child’s interoception awareness with experiences, environments, resources and strategies that prompt them to tune into their body and its signals. This includes recognising signs of anxiety, fatigue, or overstimulation.

Our aim is for children to navigate their way through the circuit, and leave the rooms feeling smiley, happy and more regulated. As your child moves through the rooms, they are supported to develop an emotional regulation ‘toolkit’ comprised of tools and strategies. This toolkit empowers each child with the skills and knowledge to identify and manage triggers, develop growth mindset, participate more effectively in social and physical environments, and improve over-all functioning.

Preschool-aged

children walk here

The Active Room

This space is where we get our ‘wiggles and jiggles’ out by swinging, spinning, bouncing, climbing, rolling, pushing and pulling. These activities provide opportunities for heavy work, linear movement and joint impact/compression, supporting integration of the proprioception, vestibular and interoception systems.

Primary school-aged children walk here

Ready for Learning Rooms

The Creative Room

This space is designed for preschool-aged children. Here, children engage in play-based learning to promote all areas of development and support individual goals.

The Workshop

This space is designed for preschool and school-aged children. Here, children engage in hands-on sensory exploration and self-regulate through art, as well as participating in collaborative art projects.

The Connected Room

This space is designed for school-aged children. Here, children can connect with themselves, their peers and the community through project work such as the Me Tree Program (Hannah Gamble, OT).

The Calm Room

This is the final room of the circuit and provides a peaceful space with opportunities for children to practice strategies to regulate body and mind. Room themes change each term, keeping children engaged.

Testimonials

Suzie from SHP is the most gifted person with preschoolers that I have ever met. I was so impressed with her that I asked her to come and work alongside me, having never met her before! Suzie effortlessly weaves therapeutic interventions in every interaction she has with the child. She does this in a way that inspires fun, taking risks and learning through play. Her preschool teaching background and her expansive additional training in special needs, provide the perfect combination for ealry intervention in the preschool years. I could not recommend Suzie highly enough and any child that goes through her programs will be set up for a future of thriving

Hannah Gamble from Thrive OT For Kids

Rebecca, mum

"Our family are forever grateful to Suzie and Marli who are both talented and insightful kid whisperers. They have worked wonders with all 3 of our ASD/ADHD kids and have been instrumental in improving their emotional wellbeing and skills. I would highly recommend this incredibly fun place to anyone who needs additional developmental support for their children."

Sarah, mum

"Suzie’s commitment, understanding and connection with our children has offered them a trusting relationship in which to develop. Because of this strong relationship and her support, they have been able to increase attendance at school, develop confidence in attempting academic work and participate in school activities."

Catherine, mum

"Suzie’s bubbly, friendly and positive vibe means she can instantly win over even the most reluctant and anxious child. She plans fun and engaging activities, that are not only educational and build upon therapy goals, but are unique and tailored to the special interests of each individual child. Both my toddler (now aged 5) and teen adore Suzie and have great rapport with her, as she can build relationships easily with children of all ages (and their caregivers too!)."

WHY CHOOSE US?

Our programs promote your child’s positive self-identity and wellbeing, building on their strengths, while scaffolding and providing support for any challenges that your child may face.

Our innovative program utilises intentional teaching and evidence-based strategies in a play-based learning environment that takes your child from active play to a state of feeling calm and happy.

We provide Services to NDIS - Plan Managed & Self Managed Participants

Smiley Happy People specialise's in supporting children with: