Accessible narratives for ADHD audiences

This research project focuses on exploring the fairy tale structure and how this can be beneficial for neurodivergent audiences, specifically those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a cognitive disability that is often diagnosed in childhood; however, many adults are now being diagnosed in recent years. One of the main symptoms of ADHD is a deficit in attention, which can cause distractibility. Therefore, it is important to recognise how we can make all aspects of life accessible for individuals with ADHD. Due to the increasing number of diagnoses, ensuring integrated accessibility for individuals with ADHD is important and urgent. My research focuses on improving attention retention for ADHD audiences through storytelling and explores how the enjoyment of films and literature should be expanded upon for ADHD audiences. Fairy tales have structures that enable readers to follow their narratives easily, which could support adults and children with ADHD to watch or read and retain attention. Many narrative types have a complication and resolution, fairy tales in particular follow this structure. The fairy tale’s ability to hold the attention of its audience members uses this device of an often life-changing complication placed before the protagonist or hero, that the audience knows needs to be resolved. Fairy tales can also be a tool for guidance in life. The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be particularly challenging for individuals with ADHD. Fairy tales contain narratives that show this transition and may be relatable as guidance for these audiences and support the development of agency. There is minimal research regarding ADHD and narrative structure, although, there has been research regarding cinema and theatre environments for other neurodiverse audiences by focusing on sensory factors (Eggertsen, 2018).

Initially, to explore fairy tale structure, I explored and evaluated the folktale narrative structure as differentiated by Propp (1958) and Kafalenos (2006). I developed a more succinct set of narrative functions that are reflective of the fairytale structure, in order to investigate the benefits of the fairytale in regard to improving attention retention in ADHD audiences. Fairytales draw on a range of genres, including elements of adventure, fantasy, romance and horror. I conducted a survey to explore whether there is a difference in genre preference in ADHD and non-ADHD audiences and to investigate if there is a connection between narrative structure, genre and attention span. This paper will introduce this new adapted set of narrative functions while presenting the results of this survey. These findings will be introduced in relation to their potential to pave the way toward greater inclusivity of ADHD audiences.