Barb Cook M.Aut.(Edu), Dip.HSc.(Nut) Registered Developmental Educator Registered NDIS Specialist (Level 4) Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner Integrative Nutritionist ​Certified DNA Life Practitioner - ​Nutrigenomics/Nutrigenet​ics Director & Founder – NeuroDiversity Hub Barb is the founder of the Neurodiversity Hub providing telehealth allied health services for neurodivergent people, including one-on-one support, therapeutic groups, and workshops and presentations. She is also a registered Developmental Educator, past Deputy Chair of the Developmental Educators Australia Incorporated (DEAI), current Executive Board Member of the Australian Integrative Medicine Association and an Autism and Neurodiversity Employment Consultant. Barb has extensive experience in working with adults on the autism spectrum and ADHD, in creating pathways in attaining life goals in the areas of self-determination and self-advocacy, education, employment, health and interpersonal relationships. Barb holds a Master of Autism degree 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 adults on the autism spectrum. Barb is currently engaged in research projects in the USA with her recent project investigating menopause and aging in autistic people. Barb has a strong interest and holistic approach in working with autistic/ADHD women in midlife and ageing. Barb identifies as neurodivergent, being formally diagnosed mid-life with ADHD, Autism and dyslexia in 2009, and promotes a strength-based and person-centred approach in her life and work. A passionate motorcyclist, she enjoys riding the love of her life, Ron Strom Burgundy, a Suzuki VStrom DL1000, who assists her with good self-care and effective anxiety-reducing and depression busting practice. Developmental Educator As a Developmental Educator, Barb focuses on developing individualised learning strategies, tools and supports with positive outcomes for neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan, including but not limited to: Environmental audits/assessments Comprehensive Adaptive Behaviour Assessment & NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) & Reports Assessments & Reports for NDIS (Vineland 3, WHODAS 2.0, LSP-16) Sensory profile Assessment & Reports Developing informative individual profiles Individualised support plans (person-centred approach) Positive Behaviour Support Plans Goal and vision planning Facilitating self-determination and self-advocacy Establishing effective communication skills Cultivating positive interpersonal skills Employment/Workplace Support – workplace social skills, executive functioning, sensory management Workplace mediation Staff/workplace training – autism, neurodiversity Transition Support – e.g. school to higher education, education to employment Developing independent living skills Enhancing Quality of Life (QoL) and community participation Barb embraces a collaborative approach by working with health and educational professionals, support staff, employers, employees, families and caregivers to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of a person-centred approach in fostering positive support and enhancement of life outcomes. Published Research 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 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, Karl Wittig. Sage Journals: Autism. doi.org/10.1177/1362361320913664 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1362361320913664 Barb’s Experience Barb has extensive professional training, clinical supervision and clinical experience in the areas of autism and ADHD in adults. Barb works alongside leading world authorities on autism, Professor Tony Attwood and Dr Michelle Garnett, and co-created and co-delivers the Masterclass on Diagnosis and Intervention of Autism for Girls and Women for health professionals and educators. She has extensively worked alongside a variety of clinical psychologists, including working at the Minds and Hearts Clinic in Brisbane which specialises in autism. Barb works extensively in academic research, with published research papers on autism and mental health. Also, she has been engaged in casual part-time teaching in the Master of Autism (education) post-graduate degree program. Barb is registered with the following professional associations with her relevant specialised degree qualifications and specialist assessment training to conduct clinical assessments: Recognition for Barb Barb is the founder of Spectrum Women Magazine and editor and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book, Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism. Barb is a prolific writer on neurodivergence and employment and is published in academic research. Barb is a highly sought after international speaker and presents on a variety of topics related to autism, ADHD and Neurodiversity. Barb spoke at the World Autism Organisation Congress 2018 in Houston Texas and 2019, keynoted for a special event “A Woman’s Voice: Understanding Autistic Needs” for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM) in Washington DC, USA. Barb was recently awarded the “A Different Brilliant” award at the Aspect National Recognition Awards in Sydney and the Leadership Support Award from the Neurodiversity Academy. In 2017 she received a Special Commendation from Queensland’s Governor, his Excellency, Paul De Jersey for the Autism Queensland Creative Futures Awards.