When I first saw the title of this panel, I knew I had to be there. It felt like it was created specifically for me: “D&D & ADHD: A Group Discussion on Planning and Running a Campaign While Fighting the BBEG of Distraction.” As the first panel I attended on Friday at Planet Comicon Kansas City, it set a fantastic tone for the rest of the weekend.
Meet the Game Master
Our presenter, Ben, designed this session as an open discussion. Diagnosed with ADHD early in life and having served as a Game Master for about five years, Ben wanted to share the “tricks of the trade” he uses to provide the best experience for his players. He was careful to note that ADHD affects everyone differently—what works for one GM might not work for another, but building a toolbox of strategies is key.
The inspiration for the panel came from Ben’s own struggle with session prep. Interestingly, he intended to launch this discussion years ago but, in true ADHD fashion, got distracted! He finally brought it to life last year at Planet Anime KC, and I’m glad he brought it to the big stage this year.
Gemini said
Battling the BBEG of Distraction: D&D and ADHD at Planet Comicon
When I first saw the title of this panel, I knew I had to be there. It felt like it was created specifically for me: “D&D & ADHD: A Group Discussion on Planning and Running a Campaign While Fighting the BBEG of Distraction.” As the first panel I attended on Friday at Planet Comicon Kansas City, it set a fantastic tone for the rest of the weekend.
Meet the Game Master
Our presenter, Ben, designed this session as an open discussion. Diagnosed with ADHD early in life and having served as a Game Master for about five years, Ben wanted to share the “tricks of the trade” he uses to provide the best experience for his players. He was careful to note that ADHD affects everyone differently—what works for one GM might not work for another, but building a toolbox of strategies is key.
The inspiration for the panel came from Ben’s own struggle with session prep. Interestingly, he intended to launch this discussion years ago but, in true ADHD fashion, got distracted! He finally brought it to life last year at Planet Anime KC, and I’m glad he brought it to the big stage this year.
Strategies for the Neurodivergent DM
Ben shared several actionable tips to help GMs stay organized and engaged:
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Just Do It: Simply writing down one sentence can break the “analysis paralysis.” Any progress is a step in the right direction.
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Leaning on AI: Use tools to help flesh out the small details that might otherwise feel like a chore.
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The “Work Only” Zone: Find a specific location—Ben uses a local pub—reserved exclusively for game prep to trigger a “work mode” mindset.
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Radical Transparency: Be open with your party about your challenges so they can support you during the session.
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Delegate Table Tasks: Assign players to handle music, initiative tracking, or maps so the GM can focus on the story.
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Unleash the Imagination: We’re often told to “reined in” our wandering minds, but D&D is the perfect place to let that wild imagination run free.
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The Constant Notebook: Ben carries a notebook at all times to capture those fleeting “lightning bolt” ideas before they vanish.
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AI as a Sounding Board: Dictate story notes to AI to help identify plot holes or organize messy thoughts.
Recommended Resources
Ben and the group highlighted several tools that make the life of an ADHD DM much easier:
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Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator
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Donjon Random Dungeon Generator
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FantasyNameGenerators.com
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Gemini (Great for brainstorming!)
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Scribe AI Discord Bot (Currently in Beta)
Wisdom from the Crowd
The group discussion added even more great ideas to the mix:
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Google Docs: Keep a link on your phone’s home screen for instant access. You can also make a shared doc for “Party Notes” so players can collaborate on world-building.
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Springhole.net: A fantastic website recommended for deep-dive character design.
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Google Slides: One attendee suggested using a single slide for each session to keep visual notes and encounters organized.
This panel was packed with incredible insights and community support. A huge thank you to Ben for leading such a vital conversation. Whether you’re a DM or a player, I hope these tips help you conquer your own BBEG of Distraction!
Stay Geeky!
