Strategies for Editors Supporting Authors with ADHD

So, the author you’re working with has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) … now what? As an author and an editor with ADHD myself, I’ve worked with several ADHD authors and advised colleagues on how to support many more. Below are some of the strategies I’ve found helpful. 

Ditch the stereotypes 

First and foremost, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. ADHDers aren’t lazy, inconsiderate or irresponsible — our brains just work differently. Learning more about ADHD will help you better understand your author. For example, explore the How to ADHD YouTube channel, a well-known resource based on lived experiences that cites its sources. 

Meet at the beginning of the project

People respond differently when they know you’re a real human being. Especially for authors with ADHD, humanizing yourself and setting expectations early on reduces anxiety throughout the project. This meeting is the basis of a trusting relationship, so plan for roughly 45 minutes to an hour to talk about:

• what success looks like for them
• reader takeaways
• supports and accommodations
• editorial process and feedback 
• project scope and expectations

Make emails easy to read

After your initial meeting, keep your emails short and concise. For many people with ADHD, it can feel too hard to make sense of a wall of text. For longer communications, plain language principles as well as colour coding or bolding can make it easier to skim key ideas and come back later for nuance.

Assess your capacity

ADHDers frequently struggle with executive function (all the things your brain does to manage tasks like planning, initiating, sequencing, remembering and more). Writing and revising use a lot of executive function, so projects with an ADHD author may look a bit different, take longer or be more hands-on. Be open about what you can do, what you have time for and how you will balance the author’s needs with the project’s budget.

Be especially conscious of how you word feedback

From a young age, many ADHDers are bombarded with negative messages as they struggle to meet the expectations of parents, teachers, bosses and peers. Perhaps in part because of this, many of us struggle with rejection sensitivity, which can lead to avoidance and procrastination. Be compassionate when pointing out errors or issues and include positive things too. Make sure to connect suggested revisions to the reader’s experience and the project’s goals. 

Break feedback into smaller chunks

Because ADHDers often struggle with planning and executing tasks, turning lengthy feedback into a to-do list can be a huge barrier. Providing an obvious framework like a checklist or steps to follow can help us jump into revisions. Smaller chunks can reduce rejection sensitivity and overwhelm for stylistic and copy edits too.

Set deadlines based on smaller chunks 

Many people with ADHD experience time differently. We’re often not very good at estimating how long something will take, which makes it hard to work on large tasks with distant deadlines. Adding more, smaller deadlines — such as submitting one revised chapter every week — can help us pace the work, so we don’t try to do it all at the last minute. 

Remove tedious tasks 

Boring or repetitive tasks can be especially challenging for ADHDers and are more likely to cause procrastination. To keep the project moving, remove tasks like restructuring a document based on an agreed-upon plan, revising recurring wording or reviewing the minutiae of copy edits by either doing them yourself (if it’s in the budget) or encouraging your author to have a support person complete them. 

Remember that every person’s experience of ADHD is different 

No two ADHDers are alike, and the supports they need will differ. These strategies are based on my experiences: Treat them as suggestions. Meeting with the author, getting to know them and learning about how they approach the work will always be the most effective strategy. 

For more in-depth information on this topic, check out the article on my personal blog. What strategies have you used to support authors with ADHD? Share in the comments!

With thanks to Desirae Warkentin, Brock Peters and Caley Clements for their feedback. Any and all errors are my own.

—

Previous post from Laura McKay: “Playing Catch”: A Strategy to Regain Momentum with Authors

The Editors’ Weekly is the official blog of Editors Canada. Contact us.