Autistic and Neurodivergent Relationships

Autistic and Neurodivergent Relationships with Barb Cook

About this course

A Certificate of Completion for 2.5 hours professional development will be available for you to download upon completion of this course.

Relationships come in many forms. These can be friendships, romantic partners, and intimate relationships. A commonality of these relationships is there is usually more than one person involved and requires navigation of expectations and dynamics of interaction and connection with other people, while sustaining your own personal choices and desires in a healthy way.

In this presentation, Barb will explore various types of relationships, common expectations, and how neurodivergent people can express their needs and differences while authentically connecting with other people.

Some of the topics covered are the dynamics of friendships, romantic encounters and expectations in intimate relationships, redefining what a healthy relationship is, safety, bullying, harassment and understanding the unique needs for satisfying companionship.

This presentation will provide practical tools, tips and strategies for neurodivergent adults, allied health professionals, support workers and carers.

This course may be claimable for Self & Plan Managed NDIS Participants. Please check with your plan manager/LAC.

About the Presenter

Barb Cook, M.Aut.(Ed), Dip.HSc.(Nut)

Developmental Educator, Integrative Nutritionist & Adult ADHD Coach

Barb Cook is a highly committed autistic 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 is a registered Developmental Educator, Adult ADHD Coach, Integrative Nutritionist and certified DNA nutrigenomics/nutrigenetics practitioner, who is dedicated to improving the overall well-being and quality of life for neurodivergent people. Barb identifies a neurodivergent after being diagnosed mid-life (40) and after significant burnout in 2009 with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.

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. Recently, Barb's third book, Planning Your Career Through Intense Interests co-authored with Yenn Purkis was released to assist young autistic adults on their career pathways. Barb is currently penning her fourth book on autism and menopause and currently part of an academic research team in the USA in this under-researched area of health.

Barb is founder of Spectrum Women Magazine and is a prolific writer on autism, ADHD and neurodivergence.

Barb is founder of the Neurodiversity Hub in Gympie Queensland, a space providing allied health services for neurodivergent people, including one-on-one support, therapeutic groups, workshops and presentations and an informal space to meet.

Barb is a highly sought-after international speaker and presents on a variety of topics related to women, autism, ADHD and Neurodiversity. Barb spoke at the World Autism Organisation Congress 2018 in Houston Texas and 2019, and 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.

Barb is a passionate motorcyclist, and enjoys riding the love of her life, Ron Strom Burgundy, a Suzuki VStrom DL1000, who assists her with good self-care and an effective anxiety reducing and depression busting practice.

Visit www.neurodiversityhub.com/barb-cook/ and www.barbcook.com.au to learn more about Barb Cook.