Writing IS my language; it is more natural to me than speaking in many ways. My written voice is authentic, reflecting my feelings and opinions more accurately than when I use my mouth to communicate (unless I’m reading scripts I’ve memorized or prepared).
My spoken comprehension and abilities have always been far lower than my reading and writing abilities. (However, the gap between the two is much smaller and less noticeable than when I was a kid.)
The depths of my knowledge are poorly showcased via spoken communication, but I can share everything clearly in a written essay format (when people allow it).
ADHD is another reason I write:
My ADHD (and the resulting executive functioning difficulties) makes it hard for me to keep track of points I’m trying to make when I’m speaking (without written notes or about a memorized topic).
I often forget what I was saying mid-conversation and can get confused about if I’ve said things I wanted to say already or not.
Communicating in writing allows me to get all my thoughts out, linearly organize them (because my thoughts come out in a messy pop-corn dumped all over the floor manner), and then scrub the duplicate thoughts so I’m not repeating myself over and over again, leaving me with a clear, coherent communication – something I struggle with (especially if I’m explaining something complex).
Visual Thinking is another reason I write (because many of the things I know I know without having words for what I know).
I can see what I know. Writing allows me to find words for something I know (because I can see it) but haven’t tried to explain yet. It is a way to find language for the concepts in my mind, translating them from visuals to words people around me can grasp.
Anyone relate?
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It would mean a lot to me,
– Lyric
It’s insane to me how much I feel connected to you – I am AuDHD like you, and writing is also my language. You forget things mid-conversation? Me too! It’s very frustrating when I know I have things to add but my brain muddles it up and what comes out of my mouth is, well, a bit weird. I must say, I am so glad you’ve chosen a platform to showcase your writing because it has helped in my own validation process as someone who also figured out their neurodivergent brain at a later stage in life (27, I’m now almost 29).
I am genuinely inspired by you. Writing is EVERYTHING to me. It is the one space I feel articulate and genuinely intelligent, as my social struggles tend to make me seem a bit dim sometimes – a fact that absolutely grates on my nerves. ‘It is a way to find language for the concepts in my mind, translating them from visuals to words people around me can grasp’ – this sentence is gorgeous and a perfect encapsulation of what it feels like. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, they are very helpful.