Employment Blog
Learning the Art of Checking In On Yourself
Self-monitoring is a great practice we can all implement in our daily lives. But what does self-monitoring entail? And why should (and how can) you do it? Self-monitoring can help you to keep check on what you are doing at any given moment. For instance, is what you are doing really what you are supposed to be
An Introduction to Self-Advocacy & Self-determination Skills. What Are They and Why Are They So Important?
by Barb Cook, M.Aut., Dip. HSc. Neurodivergent people often experience challenges in exercising skills associated with self-determination and self-advocacy. Being pinnacle life skills that drive their success in education, employment, independence and within society, with the right supports, tools and strategies, they can develop high levels of self-determination, providing a firm sense of self-confidence. When
Video: AUStism at Home – Transitioning to Adulthood
(51.02 mins) Hosted, by Autism Awareness Australia, watch ‘AUStism at Home…. an insightful discussion about “Transitioning into adulthood on the autism spectrum.”‘, recorded on 2 April 2020. The webinar panel included: Chris Bonnello, Autistic Not Weird Barb Cook, Neurodivergent Advocate, Writer, Speaker & Biker Charmaine Fraser, Autism mum and Director of Aurora Coordination Nicole Rogerson, Autism
Reducing Workplace Stress: Working Together on Self-Care by Barb Cook, M.Aut., Dip.HSc.
How often do we hear ourselves saying “I just need to finish this job and then I can take a break”, or “If I can get this project finished, I can then take a couple of days off”? When we tell ourselves this over and over again, without taking action to ‘look after ourselves’, the
Autism, Neurodiversity and Employment: Working Together for Positive Futures by Barb Cook, M.Aut., Dip. HSc.
Autistic people are confronted with an array of barriers in many situations throughout their life. These situations centralise around what general society expects of all people, a one size fits all model, without the distinct consideration of disability, difference and inclusion. With the added individual challenges of effective communication skills, lack of self-advocacy and self-determination
Workplace Social Skills: Challenging the Narrative for Autistic People by Barb Cook, M.Aut., Dip.HSc.
Workplace social skills. These words strike fear into the soul of any autistic person. I know this, because I am one of those people. I’ve had a tumultuous employment past, prior to my official diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (autism), ADHD and dyslexia in 2009. I never truly understood the “workplace social skills”, even though I