Hi, I’m Romaine. I’m a holistic ADHD coach, mentor, and advocate. I have lived experience of ADHD and Autism (AuDHD). I was diagnosed with ADHD in early 2022 at the age of 49, which might sound late but for me it was life-changing. My diagnosis came after an NHS appointment for my youngest son regarding ADHD, where the consultant suggested I get assessed. At that moment, everything started to make sense the overwhelm, the hyperfocus, the huge anxiety, burnout cycles and, the constant feeling of being ‘different’ – of which as a young girl, I had always put down to me being mixed race as my peers, their parents and teachers treated me differently.

Growing up I always felt out of step with others. I was confident and full of energy, but also anxious, distractible and constantly told off for talking too much.  

At school I struggled to fit in, masked my differences, and kept up with expectations …… and those patterns stayed with me well into adulthood. Even while building a successful career and running my own business, I always felt like I was chasing my tail, forgetting things, running late and trying to make sense of a world that did not seem built for my brain.

Getting my diagnosis was a relief, but also a moment of grief…….. grieving the years I spent thinking I was lazy or incapable. It allowed me to finally understand myself, embrace my strengths and develop strategies that work with my brain, not against it. It also inspired me to help others do the same. However, the ADHD diagnosis helped but I still felt off and later I would discover that Autism was always there just being masked by my ADHD.

Now, I work primarily with women and young people navigating ADHD, those who are late-diagnosed, self-identifying or simply trying to understand themselves better. I help them reconnect with who they truly are, build confidence, clarity and inner steadiness and find practical ways to thrive in daily life. I also deliver Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Autism, helping professionals understand neurodivergence and better support the people in their care.

I am particularly passionate about supporting young people and families, as I believe that greater understanding, support and compassion during the teenage years can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. I am also involved in creative and community projects that aim to amplify the voices of young people and promote positive representation of neurodiversity.

As an ADHD UK Ambassador, I want to use my voice, my lived experience and my coaching expertise to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and help more people feel seen, understood, and supported.