I started out in the press office at West Yorkshire Police in 2008, moved into healthcare and charities, but something about police comms always pulled me back. Now, working with the National Police Air Service, I finally get why: this job matches the way my brain works.
After nearly 20 years in PR, I’ve only recently realised how much undiagnosed ADHD has shaped everything - from the energy I bring to the doubts I’ve had about not working in a “conventional” way.
I’m not alone. ADHD affects around 2.5% of adults worldwide, and many - especially women - go undiagnosed. We often build whole careers without realising our neurodivergence is part of what makes us good at what we do.
What I once saw as flaws - task-hopping, restlessness, chasing the next big thing - weren’t failings. They were signals. I just didn’t have the language for them.
A role that matches my pace (and curiosity)
At NPAS, no two days are the same. One moment I’m planning a stakeholder campaign, the next I’m supporting incident communications in partnership with local force comms teams, then editing helicopter footage or posting operational updates.
That level of variety keeps me engaged. While some may find task-switching overwhelming, I need it to stay focused.
I also enjoy getting out to bases and filming with air crews. They bring forensic attention to detail - in both aviation and operational policing - and many are perfectionists who constantly ask “why.” That mindset resonates with me.
PR in policing is urgent, unpredictable, and ever-changing. It rewards curiosity, quick thinking, and adaptability - all things that feel natural with an ADHD brain.
When your brain outpaces your fingers
One of the biggest gamechangers has been using tools that help me turn fast-moving thoughts into structured work. AI, especially Microsoft Copilot, has become a kind of critical friend.
When your brain moves faster than your fingers, having something that helps capture and shape your ideas is invaluable. I still write the content, but Copilot helps me organise it, test it, or simply get started when I’m stuck.
Some communicators remain wary of AI, and I get that. Used badly, it can flatten creativity. But when used with purpose, it can enhance it - especially for neurodivergent people who need help keeping pace with their own ideas.
Purpose is a driver – and a weight
I’ve always been driven to do the right thing. I want to fix what isn’t working, challenge unfairness, and leave things better than I found them. That’s part of why police comms appeals - there’s real public impact.
But that drive can feel heavy. I struggle when others don’t share the same urgency. When you feel things deeply, it’s hard to accept indifference - especially when communications have real-world consequences.
I’ve had to learn to protect my energy: to focus it where it helps, not where it drains me.
It’s not a “superpower”
ADHD brings challenges too. Working memory lapses, hyperfocus, perfectionism, and self-doubt are part of my daily reality. I’ve rewritten content that didn’t need rewriting. I’ve spiralled after spotting a tiny error. And in high-pressure police comms, those moments can feel amplified.
A former manager once told me, “Your 80% is better than most people’s 100%.” That gave me the realisation to stop chasing perfection and start working more sustainably.
Working with, not against, my brain
Success in comms, especially in policing, isn’t about doing things like everyone else. It’s about knowing your strengths, understanding your limits, and setting up systems that support both.
I still use timers, write endless to-do lists, and occasionally get stuck in hyperfocus. But I also bring urgency, creative thinking, and energy to the table - and that’s valuable.
People with ADHD who receive the right support are 2.5 times more likely to report high job satisfaction and performance. That support matters.
The value of neurodivergence in police comms
As conversations around neurodiversity grow, we need to go beyond “accommodation.” ADHD can power the kind of responsive, human-centred communication policing depends on.
A 2024 PRCA survey found that 41% of PR leaders say neurodivergent team members bring fresh perspectives and creativity that improve outcomes.
Understanding my brain has helped me understand my career. I’m still learning - nearly 40 years in - but now, I’m doing it on my own terms.
How you can help
To truly support neurodivergent professionals, organisations can:
- Offer tailored workplace adjustments
- Encourage open conversations about neurodiversity
- Focus on strengths, not just challenges
- Provide access to tools (like AI) that reduce overwhelm and structure work
Neurodivergence isn’t one-size-fits-all. ADHD, autism, dyslexia and more are all unique. Support should be, too.
If you’d like to connect, find me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/katrinder/
References
ADHD Foundation. (2023). ADHD in the Workplace report.
Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). (2023). State of the Profession.
Faraone, S. V., et al. (2021). The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. World Psychiatry, 20(4), 456-476.
Hamed, A. M., et al. (2015). ADHD: Current concepts and treatments in children and adults. BMC Psychiatry, 15, 60.
Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA). (2024). Neurodiversity in PR Survey.
White, H. A., & Shah, P. (2022). Creative style and achievement in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Creative Behavior, 56(1), 123-137.