Using ChatGPT to Help Write Papers When You Have ADHD

Returning to graduate school after nearly 30 years reminds me just how challenging academic writing can be, especially for someone with ADHD. Focusing and staying on track can make writing papers a frustrating slog. I often edit while I type, which means paragraphs can take forever to create. Asking for help has always been a challenge because having a mental disability that makes you feel stupid doesn’t exactly encourage me to invite someone to potentially confirm it. However, using ChatGPT helps me organize my thoughts and write clearly without breaking any academic integrity rules. I’m doing the work.

People with ADHD, like me, have brains that come up with lots of ideas, but it’s hard to put them into words in a way that makes sense. I’m learning to use ChatGPT in ways that support my efforts without crossing boundaries.

1. Understanding Assignments

ChatGPT helps me figure out what the assignment is asking for. Professors often give super detailed instructions that can be overwhelming. I upload the assignment prompt to ChatGPT and ask it to give me a clear outline with all the important parts. For example, if a professor wants me to analyze the themes in a book, ChatGPT can provide an outline with ideas for the introduction, main themes, examples from the book, and a conclusion. This helps me feel less overwhelmed and mitigates “task paralysis.”

2. Dictation and Drafting

Since I’m better at talking than writing, using the dictation function lets me speak ideas into a word processing program like Apple Pages. It’s a first draft, so I just do a brain dump without worrying about grammar or clarity. Once that’s done, I upload it to ChatGPT to help shape my “essay” into something more coherent. With that version, I can edit for clarity, expand on ideas, and rephrase sentences.

3. Polishing the Draft

After that draft, I ask ChatGPT to check for spelling mistakes, ensure the grammar is correct, and format the paper so it looks good. None of this interferes or changes my original ideas. I’m not in school to avoid learning.

4. Research Assistance

ChatGPT is a very helpful research tool when properly used. It suggests research questions or prompts based on an initial idea, allowing me to dive deeper into a topic without having to do all the research. This helps me research without giving ready-made answers. I’m still looking things up, but ChatGPT is pointing in the general direction.

5. Managing Cognitive Overload

ChatGPT can also help manage cognitive overload by giving short summaries of long or complex readings. These summaries act as a roadmap, helping me remember the key ideas I need to include in my paper.

6. Avoiding Repetition and Clarity

ChatGPT helps me avoid repeating myself or being unclear. It’s not plagiarism because the original ideas and their meaning are mine. It just makes my ideas easier to understand.

7. Articulating Thoughts

Finally, using ChatGPT as a conversation partner helps me articulate thoughts. Talking to ChatGPT about the important points I want to make, helps solidify and clarify ideas.

ChatGPT can be ethically used as an assistive technology. Just as people with visual impairments use glasses to help them see, students with ADHD can use ChatGPT as a supportive tool to improve their writing and expression. This helps them showcase their true abilities and insights.

Here’s an outline I asked ChatGPT to write.

Benefits of Using ChatGPT for ADHD Students:

• Reducing Cognitive Overload:

• Students with ADHD typically process numerous thoughts simultaneously. ChatGPT helps streamline these thoughts into coherent structures.

• It reduces mental strain by providing clear organizational outlines and frameworks.

• Improving Communication of Ideas:

• Many ADHD students are verbally expressive but struggle with translating verbal expression to written form. Dictating ideas and using ChatGPT to structure and refine those ideas bridges this gap effectively.

• Encouraging Productive Rough Drafts:

• ChatGPT encourages a natural workflow where students can freely express their thoughts verbally or through rough notes, removing the initial anxiety of perfectionism.

• The tool then helps organize these spontaneous thoughts into a structured draft.

• Enhancing Focus and Clarity:

• ChatGPT can refine and clarify arguments, helping students articulate complex thoughts clearly and succinctly.

• By cleaning up confusing or scattered sections, ChatGPT ensures the student's original ideas shine through clearly.

• Managing Time and Frustration:

• The process of structured outlining, dictation, and AI-assisted revision significantly shortens the overall writing and editing cycle.