What is neurodiversity-affirming editing?

There’s a popular saying in the neurodivergent community: “If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.”

I love this saying, because it really highlights that every neurodivergent person is a unique individual. We all have different lives and different bodies, so it makes sense that we experience our neurodivergence in different ways. At the same time, there’s enough overlap in our experiences that we can all share a single identity: neurodivergent. I find it particularly beautiful that the neurodivergent community can simultaneously appreciate individuality while also finding solidarity in our commonalities. We are all alike, we are all different. 

All of this to say: I am not an expert in anyone’s neurodivergence but my own. I am, however, sensitive to the reality that the needs of every neurodivergent individual are unique and essential to their self expression. I bring myself to my work because I have accepted that I cannot exist any other way. In understanding my need to approach life and work from my heart and with my whole self, I’ve realized that I want the people I work with to be able to show up in the same way.

So what does this have to do with editing? At its ideal, the role of an editor involves not only correcting errors, but also building a relationship with a person through and about their writing to help the writer understand their audience, their goals, and the way that they write. An editor does this not through detached analysis, but by engaging with the writer as an informed but neutral third party, holding up a mirror to help the writer see their writing more clearly. This process requires vulnerability and a certain degree of humility, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Without an editor who sees and understands you, however, the process can be unproductive at best, and often feels fraught with difficult emotions that get in the way of the valuable work. 

When working with a neurodiversity-affirming editor like me, you can show up as you are, and know that you will be seen, understood, and accepted.

I understand rejection sensitivity dysphoria because I experience it. I understand crippling perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and all-or-nothing thinking because I experience those too. Even in writing this post, I spent many hours agonizing over the way in which these words would represent me and my feelings and beliefs. When you choose to work with me, you aren’t just getting a skilled editor, but an editor who deeply understands the difficulties presented by the act of writing-while-neurodivergent. 

In short, you don’t have to mask with me: you don’t have to worry about how you will be perceived or explain your neurodivergence unless you want to. If you know you have particular needs, around communication, for example, you can share them with me, and I will respect them without question. If you are feeling especially sensitive about a topic or idea, you can tell me without worrying about my judgement, and I will respect that sensitivity. If you’re experiencing a high degree of self-judgement about your writing, you can talk to me about it and maybe I can help you see things from a different perspective. If you need to stim while we’re on a video call, or if you say something impulsively, or if you act with “too much” or “not enough” enthusiasm, or if your document is riddled with “obvious” typos, or if you have to move our appointment because your executive dysfunction got in the way of your completing your pages—I understand all of it on a deeply personal level.

Writing can be a very, very long process, especially if your ultimate goal is publication. If you are going the self-publishing route, which many do these days, it can also be a very lonely process. Having an ally in an editor who understands you and your writing can make that journey easier and more pleasant, and can give you confidence in yourself and your writing.

When I say I am a neurodiversity-affirming editor, I mean that I want to live each day being unapologetically myself, and I want that for you and your writing too. We all deserve safe and nurturing spaces, regardless of neurotype.

Let me help to create a safe space for your writing. I’d love to learn about your writing project and how I can best support you. Click here to contact me, or send me an email at rachel@fullspectrumeditorial.com.