The Reliable Sprout

What a fantastic program coming to out area and via zoom 😍😍

Join Melanie from the little black duck for our new client-centered, neuro-affirming parent mentoring program.
Our exciting new, flexible program runs across 5 x 2 hour sessions and is designed around the support needs of the parents participating.

Topics Covered:
-Understanding the autistic brain and how it can present behaviourally
-Understanding and supporting behaviour challenges
-Understanding and supporting sensory needs
-Understanding autistic communication, connection, and attachment
-Therapeutic approaches, what do they do and what you can do whilst on wait-lists
-Support mapping
-Neuro-affirming supports and interventions
-Understanding different autism profiles
-The impact of co-occurring conditions on the autistic neurotype
-Navigating the NDIS
The aim of our mentoring program is to empower parents with the latest research, knowledge and therapies to improve overall family wellbeing. In our face to face programs we also endeavour to create a community of families who have shared experiences and innately know what each other are going through.

Program Details:
Times are in AEST time
In person:
Cost: $780
Location: Retro Cafe Albury
Day: Thursdays
Morning Program: 10am-12pm
Afternoon Program: 1.00pm-3pm
Dates:10/11/-15/12 2022

Zoom:
Cost: $740
Location: Online
Day: Monday Evenings
Evening Program: 6.00pm-8.00pm
Dates: 07/11-13/12/2022

To register:
Scan the QR code to register or go to
https://forms.gle/DK3F4LMzxhabHWax7

ZIPBOOM magnetic games will be on CLEARANCE this Sunday only

➡️Swipe to see what will be available. All themes will be reduced to $10 (RRP$34.95)

Come down and grab a bargain, Christmas is just around the corner, why not get organised early this year! 😅😅

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After a huge break, we’ll see you again soon at !

We’ll have some amazing product on clearance, so come down and grab a bargain and get organised for Christmas early this year.

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Some special RED stickers are headed out to somebody special who had a birthday recently 😁😁

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A different kind of neurodivergent.

Recently I had a request for some Chiari Malformation awareness merch, and this is what I came up with.

1 in 1000 people have Chiari Malformation (I’m one of them) it can be debilitating or you may not even know you have it (a bit like another spectrum we’re familiar with)

September is Chiari Awareness month, send me a message or have a google if you’d like to learn more about this condition. 🧠🧠🧠

Turns out there IS a good use for it.

Proper Use of ABA - 4 panel cartoon by Autball.
1: A happy flappy character (light blue to dark blue gradient) with the words “Proper Use of ABA" arcing above and below them, on a faded blue background with a dark blue frame. The Autball logo (black billiard ball with a gold infinity symbol at the center instead of an “8”) is at the bottom of the image.
2: A white box at the top reads, “Antecedent.” A pink adult sits with an ND adult (light blue to dark blue gradient) on a taupe couch. They are watching an ND child (yellow to green gradient) happily line up blocks on the floor in a rainbow colored pattern. Pink adult says, “I see he’s lining up his toys.” ND adult, smiling, replies, “Oh yeah, he does it all the time.”
3: A white box at the top reads, “Behavior.” Same scene. Pink adult says, “You need to not let him do that. Mess it up when you see it, then model more appropriate play.” ND adult and child look unhappy.
4: A white box at the top reads, “Consequence.” Same scene, except ND adult and child look happy again. ND adult says, “Thanks. We won’t be needing your services after all.” Pink adult looks unhappy.

Finally this great initiative has made its way to Albury Wodonga!

Hi 👋🏻 it’s been a while since I’ve posted here! So here’s a little update.

🌱 My daughter has successfully started primary school, but it’s been a lot for everyone.

🌱I’ve been studying an area of interest I’ve had for a while now, it’s been slow going. 😅

🌱The Reliable Sprout will be undergoing a little revamp, still stocking some great sensory items with some new ‘neurodiverse specific’ products thrown into the mix.

🌱I’m excited to announce I’ll be having a stall at event next week in Albury. More details to follow.

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💫SENSORY SPACE 💫

Families with neurodiverse children can greatly benefit from a dedicated sensory space in their home.

In our case we’ve transformed Sidney’s room in to her own sensory oasis with a loft bed to give her a cosy space underneath with a Noomi bean bag and a hammock, as well as plenty of fidgets to assist regulation when needed.

I’d love to hear about the sensory set ups you have for your family. 🤗😃

Tell a friend, tell your Mum, tell Santa!

40% off storewide!

Use the code EVERYTHING40

I need to make some room for new stock, so let’s do this!!

More stock will be added to the website through the week as I have some items I keep for markets that I haven’t been able to attend so keep popping in to see whats new.

Happy Shopping 🛍

HELLO! 👋🏻 Well it’s certainly been a minute since I posted here!

I’ve had a lot on my plate between preparing my daughter for transition to primary school, returning to study after many years and keeping my 😵‍💫 together through the uncertainty of the last few months.

The Reliable Sprout has been ticking along behind the scenes and I have a big sale happening soon the clear my market stock that I haven’t been able to take to market because COVID 😑

I’ll be sharing all the details over the weekend so keep your eyes peeled.

Thanks to the Lovely Sara Rendell Photography for this fab photo!

Sounds like a fabulous workshop!

We have 2 spaces available in our My Autistic Identity workshop series aimed at young teens. This is a local group. We are aiming for it to be face to face, but will go onto zoom if covid case numbers keep increasing.

Our 10-session workshop is a strengths-focused program that teaches the participants to recognise and use the unique talents and differences that come with the autistic neurological profile.
This is part of our wellbeing workshops, that focuses on helping autistic children and teenagers to understand and work with (rather than against) their awesome autistic identity.

Details
Monday and Thursdays November 18 – December 20, 2021, 5-6PM
Contact Melanie on 0407 056 442 for more information

CONGRATS 🥳🎉

Samantha Thomas

You have won...

🌧 A rainbow bag of Bio Dough and 3 wooden dough tools.

🌦 Bio Dough is non toxic, taste safe and beautifully scented.

🌥 Our dough tools encourage fine motor skills and hand strengthening and are perfect for little hands!

🌤 Total value $45

Please send us a PM to organise delivery. 😄

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GIVEAWAY! LIKE (this post and follow our page), TAG A FRIEND AND SHARE TO ENTER!

To brighten up this dreary weather and keep the kids busy these school holidays, we will be giving away... ⬇️

🌧 A rainbow bag of Bio Dough and 3 wooden dough tools.

🌦 Bio Dough is non toxic, taste safe and beautifully scented.

🌥 Our dough tools encourage fine motor skills and hand strengthening and are perfect for little hands!

🌤 Total value $45

Open to Australian residents only. Winner will be drawn at random Wednesday 30th June 8pm!

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Squish and squeeze. Test them out this Sunday at the On The Border Community Market!

Available on our website anytime.

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Yay! The June on the border community market can finally go ahead! This Sunday 27th!

We are fully stocked with lots of goodies and can’t wait to see you there!

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Sensory Overwhelm & Self care

On the weekend I went to Canberra with a good friend and fellow Autistic.

We had a busy schedule and had anticipated that we would be tired afterwards and had both planned in some downtime for when we got home.

I had packed for the trip with a variety of tools to help with sensory regulation.

I packed my noise canceling headphones and some fidget toys.

We went to ikea and about 15 minutes in, I started to get a headache. There was music playing in the store from speakers suspended from the ceiling, it was too loud for me.

My friend noticed that I was becoming overwhelmed and reminded me to put my noise canceling headphones on.

Thank you Melanie 💜

I was able to continue shopping and my headache didn’t turn into a full blown migraine from sensory overwhelm.

Try and practice self care.

What can you do for yourself/friend or child?

There are lots of different strategies you can use.

It might be headphones or AirPods. Maybe you need to wear sunglasses inside.

Going to the shops early or late is often good as it is less peopley. Another option is only going for 20 or 30 minutes.

Shopping online is also a great option.

Do what you need to do to reduce your load and stay comfortable. There is no one solution that will suit everyone as we all have different sensory profiles. Don’t forget to plan or allow for recovery or downtime.





Image: a photo of myself wearing active noise canceling headphones at IKEA at Canberra.

Couldn’t wish for a better duo to spend lockdown 4.0 with! 😜

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Last chance to shop our sale with the code MAY20!

If you’ve missed out, never fear, I’ll be upgrading any orders within Victoria to express post free of charge for the next 7 days.

Stay safe and I hope you can enjoy some quality time at home with your little ones if you’re in Victoria.

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The amazing Bio Dough is included in our storewide sale, as well as our range of wooden dough tools! Just use the code MAY20 at the checkout for 20% off.

Bio Dough is a non toxic scented modelling dough that is 100% taste safe. It’s soft texture is perfect for little (and big) hands.

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How can we help minimise the triggers?

Here’s a few of my ideas, I’d love to know what works for you and your little people!

💚 Keep routines predictable as possible supported by visuals.

💜 Don’t insist children wear clothes they find uncomfortable, non preferred clothing can actually be painful for those with sensory processing difficulties.

💙 Create a quiet dimly lit space at home or use assistive technology such as noise canceling headphones when out and about.

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Happy Sunday, I hope you’ve had a great weekend!

I’ve had a lovely (but chilly) week hand delivering some local orders for customers who’ve taken advantage of our 20% off sale.

You can still use the code MAY20 to receive 20% off storewide. Don’t miss out!

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