About me

Hi, I’m Emma Craven — founder of The ADHD Reframed Project. I am a late-diagnosed ADHD woman. I was diagnosed in 2019, aged 43, having no idea I had it until a lady I worked with kindly pointed it out to me. Currently, I’m a neuro-inclusion advocate, psychology student, and creative campaigner dedicated to reshaping the understanding of ADHD in education, work, and society. Also, I would love to support others to reframe their own ADHD from deficit to difference. 

My story

For most of my life, I carried a quiet belief that something about me was “wrong.” I was the child who felt everything intensely, the teenager who tried to fit into systems that weren’t built for her, and the adult who learned to mask exhaustion behind a façade of perfectionism.

I was always described as “too much” — too emotional, too talkative, too sensitive, too chaotic.
It took years, and a lot of unlearning, to realise the truth:
I wasn’t too much. I was simply neurodivergent. And I was never broken.
That realisation didn’t just change my life — it gave me a mission.
As I stepped into my diagnosis and began understanding my ADHD through a strengths‑based lens, I saw how many others were still stuck in the same cycle of shame, misunderstanding, and invisibility. I saw students struggling in silence, adults blaming themselves for traits they didn’t yet understand, and systems that weren’t designed with neurodivergent minds in mind.

 

THE NEURO-FIERCE JOURNEY

"I spent 43 years waiting for a diagnosis. I spent the next five proving the world wrong."

I’m Emma, a very PROUD ADHD woman—a 1st-Class Psychology Researcher, a Strategic Advisor to University Leadership, and a "Marmite" voice in the world of Neurodiversity.

For most of my life, I was measured by a mould that was too small. I navigated the "sharp end" of support work, always fighting for others while internally struggling with a brain that didn't seem to fit the neurotypical "plodder" narrative. I was told I was too much, too loud, and too disorganised.

At age 43, I finally joined the dots: I have ADHD.

What drives me

Today, I am a BSc (Hons) Psychology student, I’m a Student Representative, a Student Inclusion Panel Member, and an Ambassador for my university’s Neurodiversity Network. I work directly with senior management, offering lived‑experience insight to help shape more inclusive policies and support systems.

Last year, I served on the Students’ Association Advisory Board Committee, contributing to decisions that impact thousands of learners.
Across every role, one thing drives me:
I actively seek out opportunities to be the voice for underrepresented students — especially those who feel unseen or unheard.

 

THE ACADEMIC REFRAME

I didn't just want to "manage" my ADHD; I wanted to master the science behind it. At the age of 48, I returned to education as a distance learner, transforming my lived experience into academic excellence.

  • First-Class Scholar: Achieving 75% in Social Psychology and 72% in Intelligence & Genetics.

  • Standout Student Award for Distance Learner (April-July 2024): Awarded for exceptional academic performance and engagement—my first-ever educational award.

This wasn't about "fixing" myself. It was about proving that an ADHD brain, when given the right environment and strategy, is a Specialist Intelligence.

 

My work isn't just in the library; it’s in the boardroom. As a Strategic Advisor to University Executive Leadership, I bridge the gap between neurobiological research and institutional equality.

In 2025, my commitment to radical inclusion and "Neuro-Fierce" advocacy earned me national recognition:

  • Finalist: She Inspires Awards – Agent of Change Category.

  • Nominee: Rising Star, Women in Education, and the Shero Category.

Building a community

How the ADHD Reframed Project was born.
This project is the space I needed years ago — a place where ADHD is understood, celebrated, and reframed through compassion and truth. A place where lived experience is valued. A place where people can finally see themselves reflected in stories, strategies, and strengths.
Through blogs, vlogs, podcasts, and webinars, I’m building a platform that challenges stigma, amplifies the voices of neurodivergent individuals, and makes ADHD education accessible to everyone.
This isn’t just content.
It’s a community.
It’s advocacy.
It’s healing.
It’s a change.
My goal is simple:
To reframe ADHD for good — through empathy, education, and lived experience.
And I’m so grateful you’re here, walking this journey with me.

"Emma is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. Her dedication to reframing ADHD and creating a supportive community is truly inspiring."

A happy visitor