Writing prompts for neurodivergent characters

Neurodivergent characters come in all shapes, sizes, experiences, quirks, and more. In this blog post, you’ll find writing prompts for neurodivergent characters based on common experiences, from special interests to overstimulation.

As a neurodivergent person, I love seeing characters who share my experiences. Whether it’s being overwhelmed by sensory input or being an expert in 1 activity or topic, neurodivergence is a wonderful thing, and seeing yourself in characters is special.

Need more? Check out my other writing prompts.

22 writing prompts for neurodivergent characters

You can take just one prompt or combine any of the following for one story! Every prompt is entirely up to your interpretation.

You’ll find prompts for characters, words, settings, tropes, plotlines, and something sensory below.

Characters: An entrepreneur. A train conductor. A weather forecaster.

Words: Elaborate. Grip. Leaflet. Obstacle. Reckless. Speculation. Waiting.

Settings: Concert. First date. Restaurant.

Tropes: Attention Deficit… Ooh, Shiny! Crippling Overspecialization. Therapy Episode.

Plotlines:

• An event is too overstimulating: bright lights, loud music, too much talking, strange carpet, hard or too soft seating.
• It’s the most specific line of focus, so specific that they’d thought nobody else would be interested in it, but here’s someone to talk to.
• Some people hyperfixate on cars, trains, or plants. This character hyperfixates on phobias.
• Preparing for a date involves trying on several different outfits, checking the menu ahead of time, and rehearsing potential conversations in your head or on paper.
• One character is responsible for cleaning and organising, another character is responsible for cooking; the perfect balance to avoid frustrating each other.
• If they need to complete a task, they have to write it down with every task specified.

Sensory: Painful.

Neurodivergent character ideas

For even more inspiration, here are some neurodivergent character ideas to incorporate into your writing. Neurodivergence can range from autism and ADHD to OCD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and more.

• A character with dyslexia uses voice notes instead of texts.
• The clumsy friend finally gets the diagnosis that makes sense to them.
• Someone who is remarkably good at executive functioning unless there is music playing.
• A character who struggles to find a place to call home, because all of the cheapest places to rent are too overstimulating.
• A songwriter who can’t stand the sound of singing.