The Different Joy approach combines the best in up to date research and good practice with a positive, respectful and practical approach to help autistic children, young people and their families so they can speak their truths, 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 happier 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...’ She is a contributing author to ‘Girls and Autism: Educational, Family and Personal Perspectives’ Edited by Barry Carpenter, Francesca Happe and Jo Egerton which will be 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 to be published by Jessica Kingsley in 2019. She has written for Nursery World, SEN Magazine, Network Autism, Charity Finance and ICSA.   She has also written an online training module ‘Introduction to Autism’ for AC Education to support adoptive and foster parents.

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. She has written an online course, ‘An Introduction to Autism’ for AC Education.

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 a number of workforce development programmes including training that has reached over 190,000 education-based staff in England in 6 years. 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 Masters of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in the management of change from City University. She identifies as an autistic woman, is a mother to two autistic teenagers (a late-diagnosed girl and a boy) and has an autistic husband. They share their home with two Aspie cats.