RSD and School: Supporting Students Through Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
About this course
On completion of this course, a certificate will be provided with 1 hour Professional Development
A gentle correction from a teacher. A group activity where they weren’t picked first. Getting a question wrong in front of the class. For a student with RSD, situations like these can feel devastating, not because they’re overly dramatic, but because their emotional response to perceived criticism or rejection is genuinely that intense.
School is full of exactly these moments, feedback, comparison, social dynamics, and correction, all delivered constantly, all day, every day. For a student experiencing RSD, this can make school one of the most emotionally exhausting environments they navigate.
This course looks at what RSD actually looks like in a school setting, for the student with RSD, the parents supporting them at home, and the teachers trying to reach them without knowing what’s underneath the reaction.
Barb Cook, Registered Developmental Educator, researcher, and neurodivergent person, brings together research and lived experience to explore what genuinely helps RSD students feel safe enough to learn and engage.
What This Course Covers
- How RSD shows up in the classroom, and why it’s often mistaken for overreacting or fragility
- Why typical feedback and correction methods can unintentionally worsen RSD responses
- Practical, low-pressure approaches teachers can use to give feedback without triggering shutdown or distress
- What parents can do to support a child navigating RSD-related distress around school
- Building genuine collaboration between home and school around a student’s emotional needs
- Realistic ways to reduce the sting of correction while still supporting learning
Who This Course Is For
- Parents and carers supporting a child through RSD-related distress at school
- Teachers and education support staff
- Allied health professionals and support workers
- Anyone supporting a student’s education and emotional wellbeing
What You Will Gain
- A clear understanding of why RSD and typical classroom feedback often clash
- Practical, low-pressure strategies that can be used immediately in the classroom
- Language and confidence for parents advocating with schools
- A collaborative framework for parents and teachers to work from together
- Greater compassion and reduced shame around a student’s emotional reactions
This is the second in a four-part RSD series. Each session stands alone, so you’re welcome to attend just this one or mix and match across the series to suit your needs.
This training course may be claimable for Self & Plan Managed NDIS Participants. Please check with your plan manager/LAC.
Course curriculum
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RSD and School: Supporting Students Through Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
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Presentation Slides
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Recommended Readings (Books)
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Website Links
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About this course
- $35.00
- 1 hour of video content
- Certificate of Completion for 1 Hour Professional Development
- 60 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 | 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
