Advocating for Neurodivergent Patients

January 2025

Nursing student Gabby Sutton-Clark has made it her purpose to assist the often-underserved community of neurodiverse patients—those who process information differently and typically are on the autism spectrum. The scholarships that Sutton-Clark has received have helped her conduct research on this subject. She calls those who donate in support of nursing students the “resources behind the Healer’s hands.”

In the past two years, Sutton-Clark has published 4 scholarly articles, with 12 more slated for publication.

During her time at BYU, she has presented her research findings at multiple conferences. “I have a passion for working with neurodiverse and medically complex patients, and I want to advocate for them to improve their quality of care and their health outcomes,” she says. Sutton-Clark is applying what she has learned in the Rawlinson Geertson Nursing Learning Center simulation lab to her experiences with neurodivergent patients.

After graduating in December, Sutton-Clark will work to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She plans to open her own practice and blend the worlds of mental and physical health for neurodiverse patients.