Empowering neurodivergent people through understanding and conversation
Rural & Regional Empowerment Program (RREP) – NSW 2025
Providing understanding and neuroaffirming changes to help young neurodivergent people in Rural & Regional NSW thrive.
RREP is a tailored pro bono (zero cost) program for families in Rural & Regional NSW, empowering young people to engage with their local community and improve wellbeing, education and employment outcomes.
Download
Download a free PDF outlining the More Than Quirky: Rural & Regional Empowerment Program
What’s Included in the Program
While all packages will be completely tailored to the specific needs, neurotype(s), and presentation of – and difficulties experience by – each specific family, every RREP family will receive a similar overall program:
An online chat
An initial video call with parents to discuss the feelings, behaviours, experience, and hurdles, of all family members; all in a safe judgement-free environment.
An optional video call or text message conversation with the young person in question, to develop a greater understanding of their perspective and needs.
Feedback
A unique, detailed, validating report, including observations, potential neurodivergencies to investigate, clearly defined strategies to easily employ, links to further information and neuroaffirming support, and recommendations for next steps AND a personalised PDF providing young people the opportunity to explore their identity, connect with like-minded youth, learn more about neurodivergence, and improve self-esteem, self-understanding, and self-advocacy.
Guidance and support
Regular check-ins, and multiple opportunities to have question answered. Access to bonus MTQ content, newsletters, and members-only events; discounts to workshops, online programs, or future appointments.
Advocacy
Ability request More Than Quirky to liaise with, or provide communications for, the young person’s school: advocacy, IEP development, staff education, accommodation recommendations, etc. Scripts for speaking to your GP or paediatrician.
”Human beings are, in the main, active purposeful creatures and they want to know what “to do” not what “not to do”. Give them a positive lead and they will follow it.”
— Sir Vincent Fairfax, Address for the Country Women’s Association at the Opening of Summer Leadership School, Warwick QLD, January 1954
Image from the artwork: Westwood, Bryan. Sir Vincent Fairfax. 1981, oil on canvas, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
Who is it For?
Who Should You Refer?
Neurodivergent Young People
People aged 12-30 you know, work with, care for, educate, are related to… who are confirmed, or self-identify, as neurodivergent, who are finding any aspect of life tricky. Everyone deserves to be facilitated to thrive and succeed.
Your Own Child, and Family
Is your own child aged 12-30 and neurodivergent? Would you like a hand understanding them better, helping them understand themselves, or improving self-esteem / communication / behaviours? Maybe you’d like home life to be a little easier for everyone.
Kids Who Might Be Neurodivergent
Quirky kids who haven’t had the benefit of self or medical recognition still frequently need a hand. Whether someone is neurodivergent, seems neurodivergent, or has traits of being neurodivergent, the means of making life better is the same!
Organisations That Help Young People
Do you know a local business, school, organisation, charity, or sports group, who would benefit from some extra support engaging – and engaging with – neurodivergent young people aged 12-30? More Than Quirky offers training options to suit all.
Get Involved
Three Easy Ways to Engage with RREP
Referral
Refer a Family
Do you know a family with a young person aged 12-30 who would benefit from RREP? Click here to submit a referral.
Providers & Allies
Recommend a Provider
Are you, or do you know, a neurodiversity-affirming professional who neurodivergent people in rural & regional NSW should know about? A content provider, accommodating organisation or club, regional allied health professional, local superstar who happens to be ND, skilled tutor, telehealth provider… We want to know! Click here to share.
Referral
Request Support
You don’t need to wait to be referred by someone else to apply for a place. Is there a young person in your family aged 12-30 who might need our help? Click here and tell us about your family!
Why Rural & Regional NSW?
So many reasons, including…
18-72
months (1.5-6 years) is a common waitlist time in rural & regional NSW to access public paediatric specialists. Some have CLOSED THEIR BOOKS*
75%
of autistic people do not complete education beyond Year 12
60%
of positions for school psychologists are unfilled in rural & regional NSW
1 in 10
NSW preschoolers show signs of mental health concerns*
51%
of families with autistic children feel socially isolated
Testimonials
From More Than Quirky families
“More than Quirky is a wonderful place to obtain excellent advice and information when you’re just starting out your journey into the ND world and beyond. Jen really is a wealth of knowledge and has the insight to help parents and children navigate the challenges that ND children face. She really understands!”
parent
of Autistic + ADHD son
“Jen has been an exceptional support for me, as a mother processing her daughter’s diagnoses. She has actually been quite pivotal in my own personal journey as well as supporting me through each step of this process.”
parent
of autistic daughter
“As a parent of [an autistic child] it is really hard to find the right support. The compassion and understanding Jen has about neurodiversity is outstanding. She has always took time out of her day to talk to me, offer advice and help me navigate many meetings giving me the tools to advocate for my child. It has empowered us as parents to create a supported nurturing environment for my child both at school, home and the community. We are grateful that she has our back and is always there to answer questions and provide advice.”
parent
of multiply neurodivergent sons
“From the day I met Jen, she has been incredibly supportive and warm and so knowledgeable. She provided me with knowledge, information, practical and emotional support, helpful strategies and tools as well as validation I so greatly needed.”
parent
of autistic daughter
Other Support
What Else Does More Than Quirky Offer?
Guidance Package
If you don’t secure a place in the RREP this time, you can still purchase the same program for your family.
Training
Customised to meet the needs of your team, available pre-recorded, via video call, or in person in some areas.
Pick my Brain
Ask the question about neurodivergence or neurodivergent living that you’ve been wanting answers to.
Pre-assessment
Chat to decide if, and how, to approach your GP about potential neurodivergence, what to ask for, and what to expect.
Let’s keep in touch
Submit your email below and More Than Quirky will keep you up to date with information, tips and tricks, and MTQ updates. Your details will be kept safe, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Write
PO Box 20
Dharug Country
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone or WhatsApp
+61 (0) 407 804 722
Online
Gratitude
RREP is funded by…
