Here are four smart strategies to make your student’s college transition easier. These four strategies aren’t talked about enough—but they work. Let’s explore what they are and how they can help your student thrive.

Don’t Forget:Make sure to grab your free checklist and the book to get the most out of this 12-week series. These tools will help your student feel prepared, confident, and ready to advocate for themselves in college.

Download the free College Accommodations Checklist Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

College transition tips for students with disabilities—learn how stress, sleep, structure, and time use impact freshman year success. A strong start to college can make all the difference. This week’s episode highlights five truths every freshman should know—from time management to mindset shifts—to build strong habits from day one.

Topics Discussed:

• Why college structure is misleading & how to build a routine (first-year college success, time management)

• How academic stress and mental health issues can derail progress (academic stress, hidden disabilities)

• Why sleep is essential for memory, wellness, and managing ADHD or anxiety (sleep and mental health, college freshman advice)

Don’t Forget:Make sure to grab your free checklist and the book to get the most out of this 12-week series. These tools will help your student feel prepared, confident, and ready to advocate for themselves in college.

Download the free College Accommodations Checklist Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

This is week 8 and the first semester is not that far off. Today’s episode is all about first semester student responsibilities. What’s really expected of college students during their first semester? Students often don’t realize how different college is from high school. From managing schedules to staying on top of assignments, this episode outlines key responsibilities your student needs to understand before stepping on campus. I break down the key responsibilities they’ll face—and how to help them step up. 

Don’t Forget:Make sure to grab your free checklist and the book to get the most out of this 12-week series. These tools will help your student feel prepared, confident, and ready to advocate for themselves in college.

Download the free College Accommodations Checklist Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

It’s not always easy to talk about tough topics—but it’s necessary. I outline six must-have conversations to help your student prepare for the realities of college life.

Don’t Forget:Make sure to grab your free checklist and the book to get the most out of this 12-week series. These tools will help your student feel prepared, confident, and ready to advocate for themselves in college.

Download the free College Accommodations Checklist Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

Welcome to Week 6 of our 12-Week Summer College Transition Series! In this episode of After the IEP, I get personal and honest about what I wish I had done differently during my own son's college journey.

If you're a parent of a student with an IEP, 504 Plan, ADHD, learning disability, or mental health need, this episode is your chance to learn from my missteps—so you can help your student transition to college with fewer regrets and more confidence.

We cover 5 key mistakes I made as a parent, including:

• Failing to prepare my son for the reality of college life

• Underestimating the role of mistakes and resilience

• Fearing failure and trying too hard to prevent it

• Not emphasizing the importance of using accommodations

• Overlooking how valuable personal growth and mindset are

🎧 Plus, I share episodes that dive deeper into each topic and actionable insights you can use right now.

This Episode Is Perfect For:

• Parents of college-bound students with disabilities

• Special education teachers and counselors supporting transition plans

• Families wondering if they’re doing enough to prepare their teen for the college leap

Don’t Forget:Make sure to grab your free checklist and the book to get the most out of this 12-week series. These tools will help your student feel prepared, confident, and ready to advocate for themselves in college.

✔️ Download the free College Accommodations Checklist ✔️ Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

This is week 5 of the 12 week college transition series and this week is all about self-advocacy—what it means, why it matters, and how your student can get better at it before college starts. 

Self-advocacy is one of the most important skills your student can bring to college. But many students with disabilities don’t know what it really means—or how to do it. In this episode, we define self-advocacy, explain why it’s critical for college success, and give you simple ways to help your student build this vital skill.

Want to go further? ✔️ Download the free College Accommodations Checklist ✔️ Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

In this episode of After the IEP, we break down one of the most critical—yet misunderstood—parts of the college transition: college disability documentation. If your student had an IEP or 504 Plan in high school, you’ll learn why that’s not enough for college and what documentation colleges actually require.

This is Week 4 of our 12-week College Transition Guide for Students with Disabilities, and it’s a big one. Without the right documentation, your student may not get the accommodations they need to thrive.

We cover:

• Why IEPs don’t meet college documentation standards

• What colleges are legally allowed to ask for

• How to prepare and avoid documentation delays

• When to request new evaluations (and why)

Want to go further? ✔️ Download the free College Accommodations Checklist ✔️ Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

In this week’s episode of the After the IEP podcast—part of our 12-week summer college transition series—we’re diving into a critical conversation: what really happens when students with disabilities choose not to request college accommodations?

Whether your student is hesitant, unsure, or planning to "wait and see" how college goes before applying for support, this episode outlines the Top 5 Consequences of not requesting accommodations—based on real cases I’ve seen in over 15 years on college campuses.

Here’s what we cover:

Why students lose access to necessary academic supports How delaying accommodations impacts GPA and stress levels The hidden connection between untreated needs and mental health struggles What “wait and see” really costs students long term How this one decision can affect major choice—or lead to dropout

These consequences are preventable, and this episode gives you the insight to help your student make an informed decision before the semester starts.

Want to go further? ✔️ Download the free College Accommodations Checklist ✔️ Grab the book Self-Advocacy for Higher Education to help your student speak up with confidence.

This episode is perfect for:

• Parents of college-bound students with ADHD, learning disabilities, or mental health conditions

• School counselors and transition specialists

• High school seniors preparing for college life

• Students nervous about requesting accommodations

Is your student heading to college with an IEP or 504 Plan? Then this episode is a must-listen. While your student may have had supports all through K-12, college operates under a different set of laws—and that means disability accommodations aren't automatic.

In this episode of After the IEP, we break down how to get disability accommodations in college, what documentation is required, and how parents can help their students advocate effectively without stepping over boundaries. Understanding this process now is essential for a smooth and successful college transition.

• Why colleges aren’t required to follow IEPs or 504 Plans—and what that means for your student

• The exact steps your student must take to request accommodations

• The type of documentation colleges will ask for (hint: it’s not always the IEP)

• How the process differs from high school—and what to expect from disability services offices

• Common pitfalls students and parents make when requesting support

• The parent’s role in the process—and how to balance support with student independence

This episode is packed with actionable steps and insights to help your student start college prepared, not scrambling to catch up without the support they need.

My Book: 

Self-Advocacy for Higher Education: A Step by Step Guide to Preparing to Request Accommodations in College

FREE 

College Accommodations Checklist

Your 12 Week Guide to Summer College Transition Planning starts right here!

In this kickoff episode, I’m breaking down five essential steps to prepare your student for college—especially if they have a disability, ADHD, or mental health condition. This sets the foundation for the next 11 weeks of transition support. Be sure to download the College Accommodations Checklist and grab your copy of Self-Advocacy for Higher Education. Click the links below to grab your essentials and have everything you need!

My Book

Self-Advocacy for Higher Education: A Step by Step Guide to Preparing to Request Accommodations in College

FREE 

College Accommodations Checklist