Sarah O’Brien is an autistic writer and engagement professional currently working within the charity sector. She is known for her witty remarks and commitment to giving those who face disadvantage a voice.
Sarah lives and works in London. In her free time she can be found reading, crafting and planning future projects. Sarah can be found writing and speaking about her passions throughout the digital and physical world.
Contact Sarah for more info.
FAQs
When were you diagnosed as autistic?
I was diagnosed at 18 after years of mental health crisis and support within CAMHS.
What have you done in the past?
While studying for a BSc in Psychology I worked within retail whilst volunteering my time within the charity sector, research and activism. During my masters in Clinical Psychology I began working in widening participation, access and outreach and broadened my experience in clinical settings, research labs and working collaboratively with others on projects that are meaningful to communities.
Why do you use autistic and not with autism?
Simply put, being autistic is not something to be ashamed of and it is front and centre in everything I do. It is not something I can remove from myself or something that goes away during my lifetime. Autism is not something that stays in a neat area of my identity to be put away when convenient but is something that influences every thought and action I take.
What are your interests?
I can often be found reading, exploring quiet outdoors spaces and researching into rabbit holes of new found interests.
What sort of projects do you work on?
I have traditionally worked on projects that involve collaboration, consultation and co-production. From research with education institutions to working with museums to bringing those with lived experience into healthcare I have vast experience in multiple settings and on multiple types of project.
Where are you most often found?
Most frequently I’m over on Twitter having short-form thoughts in the likes of threads dissecting issues currently impacting society and more specifically autistic and otherwise disabled people. Less frequently I’m found in print and digital media discussing anything from projects I work on to my life and ideas.