Sarah Lord

Hi! I’m Sarah and I’m an Occupational Therapist and Neurodevelopmental Practitioner.

I’m an Occupational Therapist and Neurodevelopmental Practitioner with more than 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people and adults across NHS, independent and third-sector services. I believe that understanding yourself can be life-changing, and I feel privileged to support people through that journey with curiosity, compassion and respect.

I specialise in autism and ADHD assessments and work as part of multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive, NICE-compliant assessments. Every assessment is tailored to the individual because everyone’s experiences, strengths and challenges are different. I take time to get to know you as a person—your experiences, your strengths, the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve made sense of the world throughout your life.

An assessment usually involves talking together in detail about your childhood, education, relationships, work and everyday life, alongside exploring how you experience things such as communication, sensory differences, attention, routines and emotions. Observation is also an important part of the process, helping me to understand how you naturally interact, communicate and experience the world. My aim is always to create an environment where you feel comfortable enough to be yourself, because that’s when we gain the most meaningful understanding.

For many people, seeking an autism or ADHD assessment can feel like a significant and emotional step. It can bring relief, uncertainty, hope and sometimes vulnerability.

I recognise that this process is about much more than reaching a diagnosis. It’s an opportunity to reflect on your life experiences, understand yourself with greater compassion and make sense of things that may never have quite fitted together before. I strive to make the assessment feel collaborative, supportive and respectful, helping you feel heard throughout the journey and leaving with a deeper understanding of yourself, whatever the outcome.

As an Occupational Therapist, I’m interested not only in understanding your experiences but also in how they influence your everyday life, relationships, work and the things that are important to you. My approach is neuro-affirmative, recognising and celebrating neurodiversity while identifying practical strategies and supports that can improve wellbeing, confidence and quality of life.

Before returning to full-time clinical practice, I spent several years with NHS England in national leadership roles, helping to improve autism and learning disability services and reduce inequalities in access to care. That experience continues to shape my practice today, combining clinical expertise with a strong commitment to person-centred, equitable care.

Alongside my professional experience, I also have personal insight into neurodivergence through parenting, which has deepened my appreciation of the importance of compassionate, individualised support for both individuals and their families.

Outside of work, life is usually busy with my children, our dog and our small flock of much-loved chickens! We love escaping in our campervan to explore new places together, whether that’s a weekend by the coast or an adventure further afield.

When I find a quieter moment, you’ll often find me sewing or enjoying a creative project. I believe creativity, curiosity and connection are just as important outside of work as they are within it, and I try to bring those values into my clinical practice every day.