Support Worker Autism Training

About this course

Supporting and caring for an autistic person is an important role and one that requires genuine understanding and compassion. Often support workers do not have extensive knowledge or correct understanding of autism which can lead them to feeling confused and concerned as to how they can best support the autistic person in their care.

In this webinar, Barb Cook provides an overview of autism and debunks stereotypical myths, explores the differences in behaviours you may see, and decode behaviours of concern and why they may happen. Barb will also explore how to evaluate a range of environments for sensory issues, potential barriers and challenges, plus what to do when the person in your care experiences a meltdown or shutdown and how to potentially prevent these from re-occurring.

Barb tackles this webinar from both her extensive professional practice as a registered Developmental Educator and from lived experience as an autistic/neurodivergent person. This webinar will give you a better understanding of autism, how autistic people think and perceive the world around them and to provide support workers with added confidence and knowledge in knowing how to best support an autistic person.

Topics

Autism 101

Busting Autism Myths

Language – recognising the importance of identity, gender, and culture

Behaviours and Communication

Routines, Rules, and Structure

Sensory Issues

Meltdowns and Shutdowns – why they happen and what to do

Person-centred and Neuro-Affirming Approach to Care

Medical and Social Model of Disability

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 and Integrative Nutritionist, 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 recently released and 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 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.