My name is Justine Ruotolo. I have been an ADHD/Life Coach for the past 26 years. I am a graduate of the Pepperdine University MFT program, and now reside in McLean, Virginia. I have an intense passion for what I do,
helping children, adolescents, parents, couples  and adults embrace their diagnosis of ADHD, and understand  their gifts associated with their “Creative Mindset.”

I was diagnosed 27 years ago, and it highlighted years of struggles that encompassed my life. It explained my childhood and teenage years  being labeled stupid, lazy, procrastinator, and impulsive. These words developed a negative schema that followed me throughout my life. We were a family of ADHD as my two boys ages 31 and 27 were diagnosed very young. My own negative memories of my childhood and adolescents helped me put the positive spin on their diagnosis, which in turn helped them seek out and develop their creativity.

Over the past 11 years I have done difficult work to unblock the past, and embrace my own creativity. After experiencing trauma, I decided to turn it into positive growth. Through this work from the inside out, I learned how to accept my life, and develop self-awareness concerning my behaviors. I was able to take responsibility for my behaviors, regulate my emotions, and reduce my stimulant medication from 30 mg to zero. I am presently putting a workbook together which will help adults understand their own executive function deficits related to their ADHD, and give them the steps to a new way of living filled with peace, positives, and productivity.

I run support groups for adults with ADHD,  It is in this venue that I share the work I did on myself with others, along with staying in the moment (Mindfulness), and their growth is powerful.

I work with parents helping them get their child or adolescent diagnosed. I attend school meetings for 504 plans, and IEP’s negotiating accommodations in this setting. I have always been successful in school meetings because I present my involvement as a positive way of connecting the circle between the school, parents, and child or adolescent. I help the child/adolescent with organization, study skills, behavior and time management, emotional regulation, while developing mindfulness skills.  I work with the parents helping them learn the proper strategies involved in communicating with children and adolescents.

The fact that I can utilize my own experience to help other embrace their gifts associated with ADHD, makes what I do a very happy part of my life.