Autism/ADHD Health, Nutrition, Exercise & Recreation
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.
In this engaging and practical session, neurodivergent presenter Barb Cook (autistic, ADHD, dyslexic) — Registered Developmental Educator, Integrative Nutritionist, and Accredited Australian Athletics Youth Development Coach — will share both professional and personal insights, strategies, and the latest research on how nutrition, exercise, sport, and recreation can improve the health and wellbeing of autistic, ADHD, and PDA individuals of all ages.
Barb will explore how everyday lifestyle choices can work with, rather than against, the autistic, PDA and ADHD brain and body. She will explain how personalised approaches to food, movement, and recreation can support mental clarity, emotional wellbeing, learning capacity, sensory processing, and self-confidence.
You will discover how:
- Good nutrition can boost brain health, focus, and mood, while also addressing common challenges such as gut issues, malabsorption, and inflammation.
- Certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, play an important role in memory, attention, and executive functioning.
- Proprioceptive and sensory-regulating activities — such as weight-bearing and resistance exercises — can reduce overwhelm, support emotional balance, and be especially beneficial for those with a PDA profile.
- Sustainable, low-demand forms of exercise can be highly effective without adding stress or pressure.
- Recreational activities like roller skating, horse riding, or cycling can build balance, coordination, learning skills, and social connections.
- Participating in both individual and team sports can enhance resilience, collaboration, and self-esteem.
- Joy-based activities, relaxation, and rest are essential in preventing burnout and maintaining long-term wellbeing.
Throughout the webinar, Barb will also cover:
- Why nutrition matters for neurodivergent brains and bodies
- Common nutrition myths and misconceptions
- How food impacts mood, learning, and sensory experiences
- Managing allergies, intolerances, and metabolic syndrome
- The effects of stress, hypervigilance, and burnout on health
- How to combine nutrition, movement, and recreation for emotional wellbeing and cognitive benefits
Whether you are looking to better support yourself, a loved one, or the people you work with, Barb’s practical and neuroaffirming approach will leave you with strategies you can start applying straight away — for a healthier, more balanced, and more empowered approach to personal wellbeing.
This workshop may be claimed under the NDIS for self and plan managed participants. Please check with your NDIS LAC / Plan Manager prior to purchasing this course.
Course curriculum
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Autism/ADHD Health, Nutrition, Exercise & Recreation Presentation
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Presentation Slides
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Recommended Readings (Books)
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Website Links
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Academic Research
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About this course
- $69.00
- 2.5 hours of video content
- Certificate of Completion for 2.5 Hours Professional Development
- 30 Days to complete course
Grow your knowledge, starting today
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About the Presenter
Barb Cook, M.Aut.(Ed), Dip.HSc.(Nut)
Registered Developmental Educator | Integrative Nutritionist | Accredited Australian Athletics Youth Development Coach
Barb Cook is a neurodivergent professional and international speaker, diagnosed in midlife with ADHD, autism and dyslexia following significant burnout in 2009. She is a Registered Developmental Educator, Integrative Nutritionist, Adult ADHD Coach, and Accredited Australian Athletics Youth Development Coach. Barb holds a Master of Autism degree (Education) from the University of Wollongong, where she also worked as a researcher and co-project lead on self-determination and self-advocacy for autistic adults.
Barb’s career spans clinical work, public speaking, writing, and advocacy. She has been featured on Australian radio and television, in print media, and in the SBS documentary The Chameleons: Women with Autism. She has spoken at major events including the World Autism Organisation Congress (2018), a special keynote for the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (A Woman’s Voice: Understanding Autistic Needs, 2019), and AutFest (2024) alongside Dr Temple Grandin, Dr Rebecca Evanko, and Taylor Heaton.
An accomplished author, Barb’s bestselling books include:
- Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism (with Dr Michelle Garnett) — bridging lived experience and clinical insight
- The Autism and Neurodiversity Self-Advocacy Handbook (with Yenn Purkis) — equipping readers with tools for self-advocacy
- Planning Your Career Through Intense Interests (with Yenn Purkis) — guiding young autistic adults in career development
Barb is founder of Spectrum Women Magazine and a prolific writer on autism, ADHD, and neurodiversity. Her published research includes work on menopause in autistic people, mental health priorities for autistic communities, and health outcomes for autistic adults. She is also actively engaged in ongoing research projects in the USA, including a five-year study comparing two brief suicide prevention interventions for autistic youth, a study on cognitive-behavioural therapy versus mindfulness-based therapy for autistic adults, and research on autism and ageing.
Earlier in life, Barb was a dedicated and recognised athlete for 10 years in javelin, discus, shot put, and race walking, holding past records in both Australia and the UK. She remains an active Masters Athlete and throws coach with her local Little Athletics club in Bundaberg, Queensland. This decade of competitive sport, combined with her current coaching role, gives Barb a deep understanding of how physical activity, discipline, and self-belief can transform lives — insight she now applies in her professional work supporting neurodivergent individuals.
Outside of work, Barb enjoys motorcycling, roller skating, rollerblading and playing the guitar — activities she finds vital for mental health, sensory regulation, and overall wellbeing.
Barb has been recognised with multiple awards, including the “A Different Brilliant” Award at the Aspect National Recognition Awards, the Leadership Support Award from the Neurodiversity Academy (2021), and a Special Commendation from Queensland’s Governor for the Autism Queensland Creative Futures Awards (2017).
Learn more:
🌐 www.neurodiversityhub.com/barb-cook | 🌐 www.barbcook.com.au
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
