Sarah Blumenau is a communication practitioner who works with leaders, groups and organisations from the public, private and charity sectors.  She helps clients become clear, confident, and consistent in all aspects of their communication; empowering them to truly connect with their wide-ranging audiences, and land messages in a way that reflects their values and individuality.  Sarah’s work with international clients spans all industries and affords her a unique perspective of workplace and leadership cultures, trends, and best practice. 

Sarah was an actor before retraining as a voice teacher and then moving into communication.  In addition to running SBC, she is a visiting practitioner at RADA Business (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). She delivers keynotes, masterclasses, workshops, and sits on panels to discuss all things communication as well as her experiences as a neurodivergent professional.

Sarah wants to democratise access to communication training.  She is particularly passionate about working with and supporting underrepresented people or groups to share their ideas, stories, and testimonies with the wider world.  

As an ADHD UK ambassador I look forward to challenging stereotypes of ADHD, and highlighting the limitless potential of neurodivergent people to follow whatever career path they desire. 

Like many, I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.  Exhausted by years of excessive masking, misdiagnosis, and the quest for support and answers, I felt compelled to ‘out’ myself professionally.  It seemed hugely high-risk.  I was desperate to avoid misconceptions and assumptions about my abilities, being pigeonholed or judged.

I made a post on LinkedIn.  The supportive response was overwhelming.  I received countless private messages from people confessing their undisclosed diagnoses, suspicions of neurodivergence, or struggles supporting a loved one.  I began speaking about my diagnosis at work and talking to clients about the benefits of neurodiversity and inclusion. 

It was the opposite of the professional suicide that I had feared.  Being transparent about my ADHD enabled me to ask for accommodations with less shame – with the knowledge that my motivation was to be able work to the best of my ability.  More importantly, clients started disclosing, questioning and asking for advice.  This became so frequent that I cobbled together basic resources to share.  I forwarded everyone to ADHD UK which had been such an important source of information and support for me in my diagnosis journey.

I am privileged to work with bright, successful neurodivergent humans who do amazing things and run wonderful organisations.  I am saddened at how completely alone many have felt along their journey and often still do.  I wonder what they could achieve if liberated from the energy invested in masking?  Or the energy saving of embracing individual working practices rather than trying to fit into organisational status quos?  As an ADHD ambassador, I want to showcase these extraordinary professionals as the role models they are.  Through celebrating successes, and learning about ongoing challenges, we normalise as well as destigmatise.

Whether we realise it or not, neurodivergent people are all around us; interspersed through society in all communities, at all levels.  Young neurodivergent people, their families, and wider society need to see neurodivergent role models in all industries and areas of work and life.  Fears of stigma and labelling need to be replaced with positivity, hope and celebration.

I used to believe that talking about my neurodivergence would be limiting.

I was wrong.

Embracing and exploring my neurodivergence openly makes my ability to connect with others’ limitless.