Rebecca Scharpf: Working with Neurodivergent Clients
Jul 1, 2024
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Rebecca Scharpf, an editor from Scrollwork Edits, specializes in supporting neurodivergent fiction writers. She discusses creating positive spaces for clients, emphasizing effective communication techniques like using text-based formats. Rebecca shares insightful resources for both writers and editors, including YouTube channels focused on neurodiversity. The conversation highlights her journey of self-discovery through storytelling and reveals her innovative affirmation cards designed to motivate and empower editors.
Creating a supportive and communicative environment specifically tailored for neurodivergent clients enhances their comfort and overall editing experience.
Empathy and understanding of neurodivergence not only strengthen the editor-client relationship but also empower neurodivergent individuals in their creative pursuits.
Deep dives
Understanding Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence encompasses a variety of conditions, primarily including ADHD, autism, OCD, and Tourette syndrome, each manifesting differently in individuals. Authors who identify as neurodivergent often face unique challenges, such as fatigue and miscommunication, particularly when interacting with neurotypical individuals. Recognizing that neurodivergence is a spectrum encourages a broader understanding of the diverse experiences associated with these conditions. Open discussion about neurodivergence not only helps to destigmatize it but also fosters better communication strategies between editors and authors.
Adapting Communication Styles
Effective communication is vital when working with neurodivergent clients, as many struggle with processing information in real-time and require tailored approaches. Offering multiple communication options, such as emails or voice messages instead of phone or video calls, can significantly enhance a client's comfort and clarity. Regular updates throughout the editing process are beneficial, allowing clients to stay informed while minimizing feelings of anxiety or overwhelm. Asking for clients' preferences regarding updates fosters a collaborative environment where both parties feel understood and valued.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Establishing a neurodivergent-friendly workspace involves actively listening to clients' needs and maintaining a pragmatic and accommodating approach. Providing clear, detailed information on services offered, along with inviting questions, can create a sense of safety and reassurance for clients. Emphasizing positivity during feedback sessions can alleviate negative reactions to criticism, addressing issues such as rejection sensitivity dysphoria often experienced by neurodivergent individuals. Editors who cultivate an encouraging atmosphere can significantly boost their clients' confidence and overall experience.
The Impact of Empathy
Empathy plays a crucial role in transforming the editor-client relationship, especially for those who have faced negative experiences in the past. Many clients appreciate an editor who not only focuses on their work but also on their emotional well-being, leading to a long-lasting professional relationship. An editor’s willingness to be open about their own neurodivergence can create a deeper connection with clients and foster an inclusive atmosphere. Ultimately, improving the editorial experience for neurodivergent individuals enriches the industry as a whole, benefiting all clients and editors alike.
Rebecca Scharpf of Scrollwork Edits provides an abundance of information about what it takes to work with neurodivergent clients. She primarily works with fiction writers and specializes in editing fantasy, sci-fi, and romance novels.
In this episode, she shares a variety of ways editors can create positive and affirming spaces for neurodivergent writers.
Rebecca shares several resources for both writers and editors:
Yo Samdy Sam (autistic and ADHD): https://www.youtube.com/@YoSamdySam/videos
Orion Kelly - That Autistic Guy (autism as it presents in men): https://www.youtube.com/@orionkelly
Purple Ella (nonbinary, autistic, and ADHD, parent to a neurodivergent child): https://www.youtube.com/@PurpleElla
How to ADHD (ADHD in women): https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD
I am MindBlind (autistic / ADHD / mother / aphantasia / memory disorder): https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD
Also, check out Meg McIntyre’s blog that shares additional tools and resources for both writers and editors: https://mcintyreeditorial.com/blog/tools-resources-neurodivergent-writer-editor
To learn more about Rebecca and her business, please visit: https://www.scrollworkedits.com/
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