RSD and School:
Understanding Rejection Sensitivity and Intense Emotions
A self-paced online course for teachers, parents and allied health professionals with 1.5 hours CPD certificate and resources
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is an intense emotional response to perceived or real rejection, criticism, or the feeling of getting something wrong. It is not about being overly sensitive or dramatic. It reflects a nervous system response to interactions that are experienced as emotionally threatening, often before there is any time to think or reason through what has actually happened.
In school environments, where feedback, evaluation, peer dynamics, and social comparison are part of everyday life, students with strong rejection sensitivity can experience significant emotional distress from interactions that may appear minor from the outside. When these responses are misunderstood, students are often described as overreacting, unmotivated, or difficult, rather than recognised as experiencing genuine nervous system overload.
In this neuroaffirming course, Barb Cook explores RSD in school through lived experience, clinical practice, and a nervous system perspective. The course moves away from behaviour management and resilience-focused approaches, centring instead on relational safety, communication, and emotional understanding as the foundation for learning, wellbeing, and engagement.
Course at a Glance
RSD and School: Understanding Rejection Sensitivity and Intense Emotions
$55.00 AUD
1.5 hours of on-demand video content
Certificate of Completion (1.5 hours Professional Development)
60 days access to complete the course
- Presentation Slides and Resources
Who This Course Is Designed For
- Teachers, educators, and education support staff
- Parents, carers, and families
- School leaders and wellbeing teams
- Allied health professionals and support workers
- Anyone supporting students who experience intense emotional responses in school settings
What This Course Covers
What Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is and how it presents in school settings
Reframing intense emotional responses as nervous system responses, not behavioural choices
Why everyday classroom interactions can feel overwhelming for some students
How meaning, tone, timing, and context influence how interactions are received
The role of nervous system load and information processing in emotional intensity
Why emotional responses are often misunderstood as behaviour or motivation issues
Common classroom situations where emotional intensity may emerge
How routines, expectations, and transitions can increase or reduce emotional load
The impact of communication styles and relational moments on regulation and engagement
Why traditional behaviour-focused responses often escalate rather than support
The overlap between RSD and PDA profiles in school settings
Practical ways schools can reduce emotional overload without lowering expectations
Supporting students and staff following emotionally intense moments
Key Takeaways
By the end of this course, participants will gain:
- A clear, neuroaffirming understanding of RSD in school contexts
- Insight into why everyday interactions can trigger intense emotional responses
- Language to describe rejection sensitivity without shame, blame, or behaviour-based framing
- Greater confidence in responding to emotional intensity in ways that preserve dignity
- Practical strategies to reduce emotional overload and build relational safety
- Tools to support students to remain engaged in learning even when interactions feel difficult
About the Presenter
Barb Cook is an autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic Developmental Educator, researcher, and practitioner with extensive experience supporting autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, RSD and PDA individuals across the lifespan. Her work is grounded in lived experience, clinical practice, academic training, and evidence-informed approaches that prioritise emotional regulation, wellbeing, and sustainable capacity.
Drawing on her professional practice and lived understanding of intense emotional experiences, Barb brings a compassionate, neuroaffirming approach to rejection sensitive dysphoria. Her teaching helps make sense of complex emotional reactions and translates current knowledge into practical, supportive strategies that reduce overwhelm and support emotional safety in everyday life.
Access & Professional Development
1.5 hours Professional Development
Certificate of Completion available upon course completion
May be claimable for self- and plan-managed NDIS participants (check with your plan manager or LAC)
Learn at your own pace with flexible, on-demand access
Learn at your own pace — CPD certificate on completion
You’ll be redirected to my secure learning platform to complete access.
Explore Other Courses
If you’re interested in related learning, you may also like:
Executive Functioning & Capacity
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and School
Understanding Sensory Environment in School
- Exploring Aggression in School and at Home
Each course offers practical, neuroaffirming learning designed to support everyday life, professional practice, and sustainable wellbeing.