Autism & ADHD Teacher Professional Development Bundle
6 Online Courses | 12 CPD Hours | 6 Completion Certificates
Understanding neurodivergent learners beyond the behaviours we see
Supporting autistic, ADHD and AuDHD students requires more than recognising behaviours or knowing which classroom strategies to use. It involves understanding how executive functioning, sensory processing, emotional regulation, demand avoidance and environmental expectations influence a student's capacity to learn and participate.
This six-course professional development bundle brings together practical, research-informed education for teachers, learning support staff and education professionals working with neurodivergent students.
Presented by Barb Cook, Master of Autism, Registered Developmental Educator, researcher and author, the training combines professional knowledge, neuroaffirming approaches and realistic classroom strategies.
The focus is on understanding the reasons behind a student's experiences, identifying barriers to participation and creating learning environments where neurodivergent students can access education in ways that work for them.
What You'll Explore
The bundle includes six courses:
Your Brain, Your Tools: How AI Can Support Neurodivergent Learning and Work
Explore how AI tools can support learning, organisation, executive functioning and accessibility.Autism/ADHD PDA & School: Understanding Demand Avoidance and Learning
Understand demand avoidance, nervous-system responses and approaches that support autonomy and participation.RSD in School: Understanding Rejection Sensitivity and Intense Emotions
Explore rejection sensitivity, emotional responses and practical ways to create psychologically safer learning environments.Autism ADHD and Aggressive Behaviours: Exploring Triggers, Supports and Strategies
Look beyond observable behaviours to understand contributing factors, environmental demands and appropriate supports.Autism & ADHD Understanding Sensory Environment in School
Explore sensory processing differences and how classroom environments influence regulation, attention and learning.Executive Functioning Is Not Motivation
Understand why difficulties with starting, organising, planning and completing tasks are not simply issues of effort or motivation.
What's Included
Six online, self-paced professional development courses
A combined 12 hours of professional development
Six certificates of completion
90 days to complete the courses
Presentation slides and supporting resources, where provided
Practical examples and strategies relevant to classroom environments
Who Is This Training For?
This bundle is designed for classroom teachers, special education teachers, learning support staff, teacher aides, education professionals, developmental educators, allied health professionals and support workers involved in supporting neurodivergent students.
It is particularly relevant for professionals wanting to move beyond behaviour-focused approaches and develop a deeper understanding of learning, regulation, autonomy and accessibility.
Learn at Your Own Pace
All six courses are available online, allowing you to complete your professional development when it suits you.
With 90 days of access, you can work through the training alongside your teaching commitments and apply the strategies within your own educational setting.
Six courses. Twelve hours of professional development. Practical, neuroaffirming education for supporting neurodivergent learners.
Autism & ADHD Teacher Professional Development Bundle
**Included in Your Teacher Professional Development Bundle** Explore the six courses included in this bundle. Each course focuses on a different aspect of supporting autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent students, with practical strategies and professional learning you can apply in educational settings. 12 CPD Hours | 6 Completion Certificates | 90 Days Access
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Your Brain, Your Tools: How AI Can Support Neurodivergent Learning and Work
CourseExplore how AI can reduce load for neurodivergent people in learning and work. Covers practical tools, student and workplace examples, assessment, psychological safety, and equitable AI use.
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Autism/ADHD PDA & School Understanding Demand Avoidance and Learning
CourseLearn how teachers and educators can support students with PDA using neuroaffirming, practical strategies that build autonomy, regulation, and engagement in inclusive classrooms.
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RSD in School: Understanding Rejection Sensitivity and Intense Emotions
CourseFor teachers and school staff: understand why some students experience everyday classroom interactions so intensely, and how small shifts in communication and relational safety can change everything.
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Autism ADHD and Aggressive Behaviours: Exploring Triggers, Supports and Strategies
CourseInformation in this course will explore the physiological differences of brain development, sensory processing, effects of nutrition on the brain, and elevated stress and anxiety that lead to aggressive behaviours.
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Autism & ADHD Understanding Sensory Environment in School
CourseLearn how to create sensory-aware, inclusive classrooms for autistic and ADHD students. This neuroaffirming course gives teachers practical, person-centred strategies to support attention, regulation, and learning in school environments.
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Executive Functioning Is Not Motivation
CourseThis course reframes executive functioning through a neuroaffirming lens, exploring capacity, energy, regulation, and practical supports for autistic, AuDHD and ADHD people of all ages, families, teachers and professionals.
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Pay in 4 interest free payments of $61.25
About the Presenter
Barb Cook, M.Aut.(Ed), Dip.HSc.(Nut)
Registered Developmental Educator | NDIS Registered Specialist Level Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner | Integrative Nutritionist
Barb Cook is a registered Developmental Educator, past Deputy Chair of the Developmental Educators Australia Incorporated (DEAI), NDIS registered Specialist Level Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, and an Integrative Nutritionist.
Barb was diagnosed with ADHD, autism and dyslexia 2009 bringing a lived experience perspective alongside her clinical and research practice. She is a highly committed advocate, writer, editor, and highly sought-after international speaker. She has made appearances on Australian radio and television, in newspapers and magazines, and in the SBS television documentary The Chameleons: Women with Autism.
Barb holds a Master of Autism degree (education) from the University of Wollongong where she was also a researcher and co-project lead in the area of self-determination and self-advocacy for autistic teens and adults.
Barb takes a holistic approach in working with autistic/ADHD people and is dedicated to improving the overall well-being and quality of life for autistic, ADHD and dyslexic people. She is currently engaged in multiple research projects in the USA including a five year study on A Comparison of Two Brief Suicide Prevention Interventions Tailored for Youth on the Autism Spectrum, Comparing Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy versus Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Autistic Adults, and autism and ageing.
Barb is internationally recognised for her bestselling book on autism in women, Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism with Dr Michelle Garnett, filling the gap in literature between lived experience of autistic women and the clinical knowledge. Barb’s second best-selling book co-authored with Yenn Purkis, The Autism and Neurodiversity Self-Advocacy Handbook: Developing Skills to Determine Your Own Future, is an essential guidebook that gives you the tools and strategies to advocate for yourself in any situation, developing your skills in standing up for yourself, your needs and wishes. Barb's third book, Planning Your Career Through Intense Interests is focused on assisting young autistic adults in navigating careers pathways.
Barb is founder of Spectrum Women Magazine and is a prolific writer on autism, ADHD and health and wellbeing.
Barb is a highly sought-after international speaker and presents on a variety of topics. Barb spoke at the World Autism Organisation Congress 2018 in Houston Texas, in 2019 she was invited by the United States government to keynote a special event “A Woman’s Voice: Understanding Autistic Needs” for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM) in Washington DC, USA and 2024 spoke with Dr Temple Grandin, Dr Rebecca Evanko and Taylor Heaton in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA at AutFest on autistic women.
Barb was awarded the “A Different Brilliant” award at the Aspect National Recognition Awards in Sydney and the Leadership Support Award from the Neurodiversity Academy in 2021. In 2017 she received a Special Commendation from Queensland’s Governor, his Excellency, Paul De Jersey for the Autism Queensland Creative Futures Awards.
Barb is a passionate motorcyclist and enjoys roller skating and rollerblading at an outdoor rink near her home, and riding her motorcycle which helps her practice self-care and effectively reduces anxiety and combats depression.
Visit www.neurodiversityhub.com/barb-cook/ and www.barbcook.com.au to learn more about Barb Cook.
Published research:
29 August 2024: Brief Report: Under-Identification of Symptomatic Menopause in Public-Insured Autistic People. Teal W. Benevides, Barb Cook, Laura G. Klinger, Kiley J. McLean, Gregory L. Wallace, Meghan E. Carey, Wei-Lin Lee, Jonas Ventimiglia, Lauren D. Schiff and Lindsay Shea. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06516-x https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-024-06516-x
19 May 2020: Listening to the autistic voice: Mental health priorities to guide research and practice in autism from a stakeholder-driven project. Teal W Benevides, Stephen Shore, May-Lynn Andresen, Barb Cook, Steven S. Coughlin, Dena L Gassner, Becca Lory Hector, and Lisa Morgan. Sage Journals: Autism doi.org/10.1177/1362361320908410 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1362361320908410
11 May 2020: Interventions to address health outcomes among autistic adults: A systematic review. Teal W. Benevides, Stephen Shore, May-Lynn Andresen, Reid Caplan, Barb Cook, Dena L Gassner, Jasmine M Erves, Taylor M Hazlewood, M Caroline King, Lisa Morgan, Lauren E Murphy, Yenn Purkis, Brigid Rankowski, Sarah M Rutledge, Savannah P Welch and Karl Wittig. Sage Journals: Autism. doi.org/10.1177/1362361320913664 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1362361320913664