“Neurodiversity can also be a strength,” says former Chartered Manager of the Year Sarah Gardner

If you think you’ve got a lot on, meet Sarah Gardner CMgr FCMI. 

A full-time project manager, a mother of two children with additional needs, a charity founder and a lifelong learner, she’s living proof of what determination looks like. Alongside her job, Sarah is studying for a master’s degree and has ambitions to pursue a PhD. In her so-called spare time, she runs three charities and has just co-founded a fourth. 

Over the course of her working life, she has undertaken 25 voluntary roles and received 46 awards, including the British Empire Medal, the British Citizen Award, the League of Mercy Award and Chartered Manager of the Year 2022. 

A woman on a mission

Sarah says she wants to raise awareness about the underdiagnosis of neurodiverse conditions in children, and in turn help reduce the UK prison population.

“Neurodiversity is often misunderstood,” she says. “There are a lot of stereotypes and stigma.” 

She speaks from personal experience. Her son was eventually diagnosed with ADHD and autism, but the process took years. 

“The problem is funding, but also a lack of understanding in schools and among professionals. The media can fuel stigma, portraying neurodiversity negatively. Yes, there are challenges, but mainly because society is not inclusive enough. Neurodiversity can also be a strength, and that message needs to get out there.”

• Read more: as a manager, how much do you understand ADHD?

She stresses that the diagnostic process is currently too long and puts unnecessary pressure on families. 

“There needs to be more awareness and education so children can get the right support earlier and have the best opportunities to reach their full potential.”

Stopping children from falling through the cracks

As Sarah researched further, she was struck by a disturbing fact: up to half of the UK adult prison population has a neurodivergent condition. Many were never properly diagnosed in childhood, and were instead dismissed as ‘naughty’ or ‘difficult’.

“If we fail to identify challenges such as ADHD, autism spectrum conditions or learning differences early,” she says, “children are more likely to struggle at school, be excluded and fall through the cracks. That can funnel them onto a path that ends in custody.”

Sarah believes early intervention, better screening in schools, more healthcare resources and joined-up awareness across education, health and justice could transform outcomes, divert people away from the criminal justice system, and reduce reoffending.