Ethical Collaboration (Presentation Slides)

Ethical Collaboration: Strategies for Supporting Neurodivergent Authors Angela Lauria Kingdon, University of Kent, Autistic Culture Press

Neurodivergent authors, including those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, often bring intense focus and original thinking to nonfiction. But publishing workflows, including vague timelines, last-minute edits, unclear expectations, and emotionally flat communication, often lead to confusion, burnout, or stalled projects. These breakdowns are not about writing ability but are about process mismatches. This session is for editors and publishers who want to work more effectively with neurodivergent authors. We will share clear, tested collaboration strategies drawn from lived experience and coaching work. These include timeline translation, body doubling, and customized accountability systems that match how neurodivergent minds operate. These structural supports can make publishing more equitable. Attendees will leave with tools they can apply right away to reduce miscommunication, improve follow-through, and help neurodivergent writers finish strong.

Dr. Angela Kingdon (née Lauria) is an autistic researcher, author, and editor with over 30 years of experience in publishing. She earned her BA and MA from GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs and her PhD in Communications from The European Graduate School. She is currently completing an MSc in Psychology at the University of Kent. Angela’s research focuses on self-identification, narrative therapy, and autistic cultural studies. She is the host of The Autistic Culture Podcast, a contributing editor to Neurodiversity: A Journal of Research and Practice published by Sage, and the founder of the Autistic Culture Institute, which publishes work from neurodivergent authors. Based in Bristol, UK, she advocates for inclusive publishing models that reflect diverse cognitive and creative styles.