The Different Joy approach combines the best up-to-date research and good practice with positive, respectful and practical neurodiversity affirming approaches to helping autistic people, their families and the people around them speak their truth, honour the struggle and live calmer, happier lives of their own choosing.

Sarah-Jane is passionate about helping autistic people, their families, friends and supporters live more joyful lives of their own choosing. She is the internationally recognised author of ‘A Different Joy: The Parents’ Guide to Living Better with Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD and More...’, speaker, consultant and coach to neurodiverse people and their families.

She is a contributing author to ‘Girls and Autism: Educational, Family and Personal Perspectives’ Edited by Barry Carpenter, Francesca Happe and Jo Egerton which was published by Routledge in March 2019; and jointly with her daughter, Elizabeth, in ‘Educating Girls on the Autism Spectrum’ edited by Dr Caroline Bond and Dr. Judith Hebron published by Jessica Kingsley in August 2019. She has written for Nursery World, SEN Magazine, Network Autism, Charity Finance and ICSA.   She has also written online training, ‘Introduction to Autism’ for AC Education to support adoptive and foster parents.

As a coach she has worked with over 50 neurodiverse people and their families privately and as a member of the Affinity Programme, a partnership between Scottish Autism and AT-Autism.  It connected autistic people to professional, time-limited support, was immediately accessible, goal-directed and delivered online. She trains NHS staff in mental health and autism as part of the National Autism Trainer Programme. 

She is a keynote speaker and presented on autism education in China, Scotland, Italy and Greece as well as the UK. Her speaking clients include the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), Times Educational Supplement (TES), NASEN, Autism Europe, Local Authorities and commercial organisations. Her You Tube Channel, A Different Joy, holds a wealth of resources available to all. Alongside these in-person engagements and delivering online webinars, Sarah-Jane is an experienced coach to autistic and neurodiverse people and their families. She is a regular contributor to the SENDCAST Podcast.

For over 10 years, Sarah-Jane was with the Autism Education Trust working with a range of stakeholders to improve educational provision for young people with autism and securing continuous funding from the UK Department for Education of £6m. She worked with the DfE and stakeholders to develop guidance on Exam accommodations, access arrangements and to report on changes to the exam papers in GCSE English and Maths to OFQUAL and guidance on Exclusions with the National Autistic Society. She has been instrumental in the development, monitoring and management of several workforce development programmes including the AET’s award-winning training reached over 300,000 education-based staff in England since 2012. Sarah-Jane was an influential member of the Transforming Autism Education project adapting the AET’s highly successful training programme to meet the context and needs of professionals in Italy and Greece funded by the EU ERASMUS programme.

She designed and delivered marketing programmes and training in the management of key clients for the Construction Industry. She worked on the business plan and management buy-out for the privatisation of a facilities management company and subsequently implemented sales and marketing programmes for the new company.  She has had extensive operational and facilities management experience including leadership of over 100 staff and an operational budget in excess of £17M. Sarah-Jane holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in the management of change from City University.

Sarah-Jane is the joyfully autistic proud mother to two young adults (a late-diagnosed girl and boy) has been married to her husband for over 30 years. She shares her home with 2 cats and an increasing number of coronavirus lockdown paintings. She is also a mad keen dinghy sailor (and previously Women’s Comet National Champion). She loves singing and although mainly a classical choral singer, may conceivably turn up for the singing of absolutely anything musical, especially if it has a decent alto line, and comes from musical theatre. She has a passion for personal development and lifelong learning.