Barb Cook

Barb Cook Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia 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 received a diagnosis of autism (Aspergers syndrome), ADHD and phonological dyslexia in 2009 at the age of 40. This really did give the statement of ‘life begins at 40’ a whole lot more depth and meaning to her — literally a new beginning of self-discovery, self-advocacy and personal empowerment. Barb is Director and Founder of NeuroEmploy Pty Ltd, a company providing a variety of neurodiversity-specific educational and training programs for neurodivergent individuals, workplace staff, management and businesses. Barb is editor-in-chief of Spectrum Women Magazine, a magazine she founded in 2016 that is a source of trusted and credible information for about one million readers worldwide. She is also an independent peer reviewer of the journal Autism in Adulthood, and is a published researcher in the areas of autism and mental health. Her award-winning book, Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism, covers insights of life for women/non-binary on the autistic spectrum and fills a gap between the personal and the professional. Her next book, The Autism and Neurodiversity Self-Advocacy Handbook will be released this year. Barb is a registered Developmental Educator (DE) and an Autism and Neurodiversity Employment Consultant for neurodivergent adults focused on developing individualised learning strategies, tools and supports for individuals across the lifespan. Barb is Deputy Chair of the Developmental Educators Australia Incorporated (DEAI); Vice Chair of the association My Life, My Decisions Inc.; and is a committee member of a number of projects and councils related to Aspergers and autism. She completed a Master of Autism (Education) at the University of Wollongong (Australia) in the areas of education and employment. Barb currently rides a Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 motorcycle called Ron ‘Strom’ Burgundy and he is one of the major loves of Barb’s life. Her motorcycle keeps her anxiety and depression levels in check by taking her out on adventurous rides around the countryside. Awards/Honours: • 2021 Winner of the Leadership Support Award - Neurodiversity Academy. In recognition of supporting Neurodiversity inclusive environments and economic prosperity. • 2021Winner Aspect National Recognition Awards: A Different Brilliant Award. • Keynote for “A Woman’s Voice: Understanding Autistic Needs” for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM) in Washington DC, USA in 2019. • Speaker, World Autism Organisation Congress 2018 in Houston, Texas • The 2018 Community Engagement Grant for Facilitating the voice and self-determination of young adults on the autism spectrum • Special Commendation in the 2017 Autism Queensland Creative Futures Awards by the Queensland Governor www.barbcook.com.au www.spectrumwomen.com www.neuroemploy.com www.neurodiversityhub.com