Beth Sutton (she/they) is a neurodivergent anthropologist specialising in neurodivergence and neurodevelopmental conditions. She is currently undertaking doctoral research at the University of Sussex while working in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, specifically the neurodevelopmental service, in the regional adult autism and ADHD diagnostic pathway. Beth also co-chairs the Trust’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.

Would you tell us a little bit about what you do and the support that you offer autistic and other neurodivergent people?

In terms of clinical work, I am a peer support specialist working across Sussex. I specialise in working with adults who have received an autism diagnosis, often ADHD too, creating space for people to process what being autistic and/or ADHD means to them. This is a space where people can learn more about neurodivergence and in turn, learn more about themselves. I use lived experience, neurodivergent-friendly strategies and evidence-based models to support those earlier in the process of self-discovery. Positive neurodivergent role modelling and neuroaffirmative practice are central to the nature of the clinical work I do.

Generally speaking, neuroaffirmative practice involves validating autistic ways of being, viewing these as part of human diversity rather than something inherently ‘wrong’ with an individual. It can be applied to other neurodevelopmental conditions too.

Peer support is a relatively new offering within the neurodevelopmental service, which I have been involved in developing from the outset.

Comparatively, my work as a neurodevelopmental participation lead is more recent. I am currently leading the data analysis and reporting of service user feedback, focusing on neurodevelopmental assessments in the neurodevelopmental service. This work aims to improve the quality of the services according to community needs. Participatory methodologies are also central to this role, which also applies to my research.


Could you tell us how you found out about your neurodivergence and how this shapes your work?

I am proudly neurodivergent with diagnoses of autism, ADHD and dyslexia. I underwent a dyslexia assessment at university and had a successful neurodevelopmental assessment in my early 20s, confirming I am autistic and ADHD. Preceding that was a period of poor mental health; in fact, I was headed towards an emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) diagnosis, also referred to as borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is fair to say this kind of trajectory is commonly reported among un/late/misdiagnosed autistic people, particularly those who are highly masked and/or present in a more nuanced way, such as myself and many of the people I encounter in the Neurodevelopmental Service.

Could you tell us about your PhD?


In terms of theoretical backdrop, my doctoral research is situated in anthropology, which is broadly about the study of people. I am conducting ethnographic fieldwork, a form of qualitative research, with neurodivergent adults to understand more about their lived experiences of neurodivergence. The project qualifies as autoethnographic because I am neurodivergent. It also draws on concepts, methods and techniques beyond the discipline, such as the Inclusive Arts and Zoom Cafés.

Some aspects of my work are inspired by Merleau Ponty, a phenomenologist who studied how people experience ‘being in the world’. My doctoral research further investigates the nature of ‘being-neurodivergent-in-the-world’, building on an earlier research article.

My research also focuses on what it is to ‘become’ neurodivergent in adulthood and by that, I mean, ‘become’ closer to your authentic self through diagnostic confirmation and/or by taking on a neurodivergent identity in adulthood, as I did. A neurodevelopmental diagnosis, formally or not, can give someone a new frame to understand themselves and I want to understand more about what this process means for the community.

You’re the first in your family to pursue academia. What surprised you about doing a PhD?


Doing a research-based PhD is so much more than the project itself. In the last year, I have co-authored an article about the lived experiences of navigating a neuronormatively constructed education system. I also contributed creative work on a project called ‘Outside the Frame’, which champions the work of marginalised researchers and aims to make space for alternative perspectives within the academy. I have given presentations at the University of Sussex and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), most recently on ‘Understanding burnout and the context of neurodivergence’, along with guest lecturing to undergraduate students. In terms of the NHS, I also developed an interactive workshop titled ‘Allyship beyond lanyards’ as LGBTQIA+ Staff Network co-chair.

Why is neurodivergent-led research important to you?


People without lived experience have led research on neurodevelopmental conditions for too long. Of course, neuronormative research has a place within research but neurodivergent-led research is essential. It is time for the academy to make more space for the vital work of neurodivergent researchers because lived experience has an important place in understanding neurodevelopmental conditions.

My work departs from existing approaches in the sense that is not ‘about’ neurodivergent people, instead, it is ‘by and for’ the community, championing marginalised perspectives and highlighting neurodivergent ways of ‘doing’ research.

What are your plans for the future, in terms of your NHS work or academia?


It is quite hard to think ahead when your head is firmly in the fieldwork phase. It is all-consuming. I am ethically driven to research and work in the context I am researching, so that will likely continue, which suits my need for a varied workload (ADHD). Therefore, I imagine my future will probably involve researching and working in the industry.

In terms of anthropology more specifically, while there are not a lot of anthropologists researching neurodivergence, there is certainly emerging interest, which is promising. In time, I hope anthropology will be more established in this area and research such as mine will play a crucial role.

Brilliant. Thank you so much for your time!