Sarah was appointed as Clinical Director at the National Autistic Society, in April 2017 and prior to that was a Clinical Associate and trainer working with the National Autistic Society for over 25 years. She is responsible for the strategic development of the Diagnostic and Assessment Services that provides diagnostic and related clinical services to people across the lifespan. The diagnostic service is based in the Lorna Wing Centre for Autism which is an internationally recognised centre of excellence. Together with Dr Judith Gould and other members of the training team, the centre also delivers the accredited training programme for the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/diagnostic-service/the-disco.
 
Sarah qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 1986 and began her career in clinical research at the MRC Social Psychiatry Unit working with Dr Lorna Wing and Professor John Wing. She completed her PhD on the early detection of social communication impairments under the supervision of Professor Uta Frith in 1992. She has held clinical lectureships at the Institute of Psychology Psychiatry and Neuroscience and at the University of Surrey combining clinical, research and academic teaching roles. Whilst her clinical expertise is within the field of autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, throughout her career she has worked in a variety of service delivery models and settings, including adult and child mental health services, acute and community paediatrics, intellectual disability health, social care and education services. She has provided clinical leadership within these services and held senior clinical roles at The Maudsley and Bethlem Hospitals and within the CAMHS, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust. She has published work in the area of autism and intellectual disabilities. =
 
Sarah’s clinical interests are in complex mental health conditions associated with autism spectrum disorders, feeding and eating disorders as well as gender and identity issues associated with autism.
 
Sarah strongly believes in person-centred services that provide a holistic and integrated approach for autistic people and their families. She values and practises an eclectic approach in her clinical work that utilises the best evidence-base available to achieve the best outcomes. Improving outcomes and the quality of life for autistic people and their families continues to be the driving force behind her work.