Workshops

“This was one of the best most beneficial workshops I have ever attended both personally and professionally. The time flew by, and I could have easily sat for another five hours listening to Ross share his wisdom. The Mockingbird team were wonderful and the hospitality just right for the large group that attended, the atmosphere very warm and friendly. The handout was an excellent resource and I have read it each day since the workshop something I have never ever done before with handouts.

This workshop was outstanding, and I left feeling more supported, understood and empowered than at any other time in my parenting journey. I felt seen and heard and my kete is full of wisdom and new understanding for myself, my child and my family. We have a way forward and we are so very grateful to Ross, Robyn and the awesome Mockingbird team. I wish we had attended this workshop years ago!

I am so very grateful for the funders that subsidised this workshop as we are now a one income family so that we can support our son and would not have been able to attend otherwise.”

Lisa – July 2023

"This was a super helpful workshop thank you. I came along primarily as an Aunty of a young ND person, but also as ND myself, a mum and a counsellor whose absolute favourite people to work with are those who are ND. I wish I had done this workshop when my now almost 18 year old daughter was younger. It would have helped with my confidence in knowing my child, and in my own parenting, to enable me to have advocated better for her within mainstream systems. Her parents having this knowledge could have lessened relational trauma for her and decreased the chances of her using self-harm and self-medicating to cope. I wish this information delivered in this way was more widely available! There are more ND people out here than anyone realises and in a world with increased sensory overload and decreased relational safety, the misunderstood unsupported internalised struggles are heartbreaking!! A one day workshop for professionals particularly about the ND compass and hyperarousal and the idea of medicinal doses of joy etc would be great! Thank you!!"

Anon - July 2023

“I loved the content & feel so strongly that Ross has knowledge & understanding of this topic, that I cannot access in any other professional environment. 

The whole day was excellent and very helpful.

This workshop is invaluable to those navigating the world with atypical people/children in their lives. Ross has knowledge and information you simply cannot access elsewhere. His strategies are extremely helpful and actually work!! I love the fact he teaches us to become our own case managers, and use our inner guidance. In the workshop you can pull out the information relevant to each child/family member. I find his style excellent and engaging. There's no judgement of your unique situation and it covers all aspects of the huge topic of raising atypical children. 

I've come away fine tuning some things we place focus on in our lives & looking at what truly provides pleasure for us all. So our stress is reduced. Invaluable information.”

Angela Benstead – July 2023

“I'd love to do a series - cause goodness this was renewal, even though its hard to get away to come.

After attending numerous parenting courses and strategies, this seemed much more humanistic. A huge relief to be in the room, to take a breath and to finally be understood. To feel held with greater understanding coming towards us, to be able to pause and learn. Realistic with some good humour. I wish we found you sooner. I would like to hear more.”

Anon – July 2023

Great Workshop!

"Mockingbird's workshop was extremely useful for me as a professional working with children. It helped me to better understand strategies I can use to provide better care for children, and to understand their neurodiversity better. Very valuable information."

EM - April 2023

"Informative with explanations and scenarios that make it relatable. Delivered in a way that gives a depth of understanding to assist us, the parents to achieve the best outcomes for our children as they embark on their journey of being wonderfully neurodiverse!"

Di Rooney - April 2023

"This was a brilliant workshop.  My husband and I gained so much from it.  It was nice to learn with and connect with other parents with neurodiverse children.  The workshop was insightful, relevant, and well facilitated.  I would highly recommend."

VW - October 2022

“Wow, if you're thinking about doing this workshop do it!  Well worth it, Ross was amazing!  It was such a pleasure to hear him talk and would do so again in a heartbeat.  Ross totally understands and gets our children.  It blew us away, we came away with so many ideas and tools to help us going forward and feeling like finally someone gets it and understands!

Look forward to seeing him again in the future.

Very grateful, thank you Ross."

Kim & Glenn - October 2022

"I dragged my husband along to Ross Barkers event kicking and screaming about going to another thing. Within 30 mins he had wrote on the back of his paper “ok… he’s really good”.  Refreshing, relevant and reviving!" 

 Nikki Guthardt - July 2021 

“I found the Mockingbird workshop with Ross Baker absolutely invaluable. I enjoyed Ross’ style of delivery and he kept me engaged the entire day. Ross’ expertise in working with children on the spectrum was evident but he was also very practical and realistic in his advice. It was reassuring to connect with other parents dealing with similar issues, and I felt the environment was extremely welcoming and non-judgemental. I would jump at the opportunity to attend another Mockingbird workshop, and would recommend Ross and the team unreservedly.”

Angela Campbell - July 2021

"Ross Barker's workshop was a fun and informative 'injection of hope'. 

A lovely day in a welcoming relaxed atmosphere. It provided an inclusive and accepting place for the neurodiverse child. For me, such a relief and comfort to know there is a way ahead. And we are just one part of the normal spectrum! 

Makes me sad for all the heart-rending cases that have never had this acceptance or support. 

Ross is a great speaker, and you can take away as little, or as much complexity as you like!  

Mockingbird philosophy should be available everywhere. Hope it becomes part of the norm. 

Thank you so much, ... thank goodness we found you!"

 Viv Atkins - July 2021 

"I first saw Ross Barker when my children were in Primary School and so I was pleased to once again attend his workshop.

I once again learnt so much and also got to thank Ross for the helpful information that helped me better to interact and understand my children now young adults.

One of the key things taken from the workshop was the work around Trauma, understanding that all the little Traumas add up to big Traumas and what our children's survival styles are. 

My family is doing well, they all have great self awareness and self acceptance. Free to be who they are and not what society was trying to make them be."

 Angela Keepa - July 2021