Writing with AuDHD

I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life (30s and 40s), which has led to a deeper understanding of how to address my nervous system, social, and cognitive needs. Where I felt I was broken for decades, I now know as features of my individualism that can be harnessed as strengths.

Below is a (not an exhaustive) list of things I struggle with, that can affect my writing:

• Executive dysfunction

• Sensory over or under-stimulation

• Rejection sensitivity

• Demand avoidance

• Hyperfixation

• Sleep disturbances

• Distractions

• Slow processing time

• Emotional regulation

• Nervous system regulation

I have developed strategies that address each of the above challenges, and I would love to share them with you! Note that you don't have to be neurodivergent to benefit from my strategies. Most people struggle with at least one of these issues.

I'll leave you with one example to illustrate how my life experience is lying in wait to help YOU:

Emotional regulation: I journal every day to deal with this. Because I have a difficult time naming my emotions in the moment that I feel them, I write down difficult experiences as soon as I can. I often simply describe them, and record anything else that strikes me, no matter how miniscule. I read my journal entry from the prior day each morning. Sometimes I can identify my emotions then, given the space and processing time. Sometimes I'll even tell someone that they hurt my feelings or misunderstood me in a conversation that I had with them 12+ hours ago. It is valid, and important! I try to record the full spectrum of life events (both positive and negative) in my journal daily, even if it is just a dry recounting of events. This is all content that you can mine for writing. Truly! My current WIP (Work in Progress) is heavily reliant on the emotions that I recorded in my journal.

Whether you're neurodivergent or not, mine me for my expertise! Start with a free 30 minute consultation where we assess your creative goals. Sign up on the Service Page (drop down at top of website).

Happy Creating!

-Erin