When Two Neurodivergent Minds Meet (Part 2)

A Virtual Assistant and an Editor Share Their Process

Last week, I described why I decided to hire a virtual assistant (VA) in June 2025, and shared Melanie’s responses to my questions. This week, Melanie interviews me. 

Melanie Lobo: Our first conversation was on Reddit — what made you reach out to me?

Letitia Henville: I was so desperate! I definitely didn’t follow best practices for hiring, and by some miracle, you showed up just as I needed you. I think I Googled “where to hire a VA” and then came across the virtual assistant subreddit. I contacted three people; I told them what I needed; and you were the one who said, “yup, I can help you!” We did a month-long trial period and you knocked it out of the park with your empathy, workable systems and willingness to take initiative in figuring out what works. I find it easy to work with you.

In preparing my answer to this question, I dug up the post that made me want to reach out to you. You wrote, “I’m passionate about building systems rooted in both efficiency and empathy, streamlining operations to quieten the chaos and bring clarity to your day-to-day.” That line hooked me! 

ML: Do you feel seen since we started working together? What does “being seen” as a neurodivergent editor mean in our collaboration?

LH: When I was young, in my teens and 20s, I didn’t know that I could be myself at work. I thought I had to be a professional version of myself — someone polite but efficient, thorough, productive, driven. I didn’t know I could have a sense of humour or speak with digressions, my natural way of communicating. Now that I’m in my 40s, I’m still polite, efficient, thorough, all those things, but I’ve shaken off the idea that I need to fit a particular model of professionalism to be taken seriously. 

I appreciate that you’re open to someone who is ambitious and who takes her work very seriously, but who does it while also using emojis and silly metaphors. I mean, the system you set up for tracking prospective clients has a waffle as its emoji — I feel like you’ve not just accommodated that type of silliness: you’ve embraced it. 

This past summer, when I did the neuropsychological assessment that resulted in my diagnoses, I was told that one of my weaknesses is processing speed. I need time to reflect and adjust before I implement a new system or approach. You never rush me, but you also don’t let me lose track of the threads during a reflection period. That forgetting is typical ADHD. I’m so appreciative of your ability to pick up threads and say, “Hey, you were processing this, so where are you at now?” You help me feel seen and supported. 

ML: How do you see our partnership evolving?

LH: I definitely want to help you to grow your business. You know how much I love my work and working for myself, and — if you’re finding equal joy in your work — then I want you to have all the success in the world! 

I also know that my own business practices are imperfect — I work too many hours and don’t give myself enough time for creativity. The overwork challenges I face are caused in large part by my biggest ADHD challenge: time blindness. So, while I want to help you to grow your business, I’m hoping you can help me to stop growing mine! I think you’re more intentional than I am with managing your health and balancing your priorities, including priorities outside of work, and I’m so happy that I’m getting to work with someone with that mindset. 

So, maybe “evolution” isn’t the right word: I see us continuing to learn from one another, support each other and value each other, both as professionals and as people whose bodies and brains need time away from our jobs! 

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About the co-author: 

Melanie Lobo is a neurodivergent Virtual Assistant based in India who supports neurodivergent freelancers, consultants, and healthcare practitioners to create flexible systems that work with their brains and bodies, grounded with empathy. 

Previous post from Letitia Henville and Melanie Lobo: When Two Neurodivergent Minds Meet: A Virtual Assistant and an Editor Share Their Process – Part 1

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