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 y...
Jun 25, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 131
As high school graduations are occurring, it’s time to get prepared to send your student off to college. Yes, there is still time before they go. But the day your student heads off to campus will be here before you know it. So, what do you need to do now to get yourself and your student prepared to transition to college? Here is my hand picked list of 12 episodes to get you and your student ready for college. Over the next 12 weeks, each week will be a specific episode that builds on the previou...
Jun 18, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Helping students with disabilities plan for a productive summer may not be on your bucket list, but it can provide a lot of opportunity to your student. For college students with learning disabilities or ADHD, summer is an opportunity to reset, build new skills, and prepare for future academic success. But without structure, summer can quickly turn into lost time. Parents can play a crucial role in guiding their students toward a productive and balanced break while helping set them up for succes...
Jun 11, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Is your college student feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or burned out after a tough semester? Whether they’re managing ADHD, learning disabilities, or mental health challenges, recovery is possible—with the right support. In this episode, we’ll explore how parents can help college students recover from a tough semester by recognizing academic burnout, fostering emotional resilience, and using summer break as a time for growth and renewal. You'll learn how to: Spot the signs of college student ...
Jun 04, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 128
College isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s also about building habits that carry you into the workplace and beyond. While classes focus on academic knowledge, many students overlook the soft skills and professional behaviors that employers value just as much—if not more. The good news? You can start practicing these behaviors right now. In this episod, we’ll explore five simple yet powerful professional habits every college student should develop to prepare for employment and long-term succe...
May 28, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Are you just going through the motions in college—or are you standing out? In this episode, I'm revealing 5 practical ways of how to stand out in college and set yourself apart on campus. Whether you want to build connections, boost your resume, or simply make the most of your college experience, these tips can change the game. We're covering what most students overlook but successful students prioritize. And trust me, this isn't about doing more, it's about doing what matters most. Click the li...
May 21, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 126
What if I told you that failing is one of the most important skills your child can learn? I know, it sounds backwards. As a parent, especially of a child with learning disabilities,it’s painful to watch. But what if the real strength lies not in avoiding failure—but in how you handle it? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the psychology of resilience—what it really takes for your child to succeed by learning to fail well. Because the truth is: resilience isn’t built in success; it’s forged in...
May 14, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Your student got accepted—now what? 🎓 In this episode of After the IEP , we break down the three most important steps to take after receiving college acceptance letters: Apply early for disability accommodations – why waiting can cost you time and access. Evaluate college support services – what to look for beyond academics, including writing centers, counseling, and more. Make smart financial decisions – how finances can affect college success and why budgeting matters now more than ever. You'...
May 07, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 124
The first semester is always challenging. One challenge that often gets missed is how to deal with academic challenges when they come up, and they will. This is particularly true when a student’s tried-and-true academic skills no longer meet the demands of higher education. I’ll tell you the college transition success story of one student I worked with, Sara. It's about a real student (name has been changed) and her inspiring journey to find success amidst adversity, learning valuable lessons ab...
Apr 30, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Attending a recent high school choir event with my daughter, I noticed a shift—more students than ever are choosing to take a gap year before heading to college. While college often seems like the default next step, it’s not always the right choice for everyone immediately. The pressure to jump straight into higher education can be overwhelming, and for some students, taking time to explore their options, build life skills, and gain work experience can be incredibly beneficial. A gap year can pr...
Apr 23, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Does College Choice Matter for Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD? Finding the right college for students with learning disabilities and ADHD is a critical step in setting them up for success. The college experience presents new challenges, but with the right support systems, students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. Does college choice matter? Yes, it does, but there is a lot of work that goes into it. This guide will walk parents and students through the 6 key consi...
Apr 16, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 121
What is self-advocacy? How does your student develop this skill? How can you teach it? I'll review all this and a bit more in this episode. Teaching self-advocacy is one of the most important steps in preparing students with learning disabilities or ADHD for success in college and beyond. Self-advocacy involves understanding one’s own needs, confidently expressing them, and seeking the necessary support or accommodations to succeed. For students with learning disabilities, developing these skill...
Apr 09, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Watching your child transition to college is both exciting and nerve-wracking. As a parent, you want to support their independence while staying informed about their well-being. Striking this balance can be challenging, especially for parents of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or other unique needs. This post provides actionable strategies for supporting independence in college students without overstepping boundaries, ensuring they thrive both academically and personally. Click the l...
Apr 02, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 119
College accommodations provide essential support for students with disabilities, but they’re not always sufficient to meet every need. When accommodations fall short, it can lead to frustration and academic challenges. This episode outlines actionable steps students and parents can take when college accommodations aren’t enough, ensuring that students receive the support they need to thrive. Consider this your 'what do I do now' episode. Click the link below to get the college services planner m...
Mar 26, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Balancing the social and academic demands of college life can feel like a juggling act. On one hand, there’s the need to maintain relationships and enjoy the social experience of college. On the other, academic pressures like assignments, exams, and projects demand focus and discipline. Managing both simultaneously is key to a fulfilling and successful college experience. This episode explores effective strategies for handling social and academic pressures in college while maintaining your well-...
Mar 19, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Burnout is a common challenge for college students, especially those managing heavy workloads and personal responsibilities. Building healthy routines can help prevent burnout and improve overall well-being. Trust me when I say this. Burnout has a profound effect on everything. EVERYTHING. It harms everything it touches. I’ve been burned out three times in my early to mid twenties. I learned something from each time. The most important lesson I learned was how to not get burned out again. EVER. ...
Mar 12, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Midterms mark one of the most demanding times in a college student's life, especially for those juggling academic responsibilities with disabilities or mental health challenges. The pressure to perform well, combined with tight deadlines and heavy workloads, can lead to overwhelming stress. This episode provides proven strategies for managing stress during college midterms, ensuring students stay focused, calm, and productive during this crucial period. Click the link below to get the college se...
Mar 05, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 115
College Self-advocacy is a crucial skill for students with hidden disabilities like dyslexia. It affects thier dicision of what college to attend, to apply for college disability accommodations, and a lot more. Moreover self-advocacy for students with learning differences begins with self-awareness. I've stated before, "you cannot self-advocate if you don't know what you're talking about." Otherwise, what exactly would your student be advocating about? In addition, not many students actually app...
Feb 26, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 114
The college experience is a time of personal growth and independence, but it can also bring new stressors that affect mental health. For parents of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or pre-existing mental health challenges, knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference. Accessing mental health resources for college students can help students maintain balance, reduce stress, and succeed both academically and personally. This episode explores essential mental health resources...
Feb 19, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Transitioning to college can be a challenging experience for any student, but for those with ADHD and learning disabilities, navigating academics often requires extra support. That’s where academic advisors come in. These professionals serve as a bridge between students’ needs and the resources available, guiding them through academic requirements, helping them access accommodations, and offering personalized support to ensure success. This blog delves into the critical role of academic advisors...
Feb 12, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Navigating the world of college disability accommodations can feel overwhelming for both students and their parents. Unlike high school, where accommodations are often guided by the school district under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), college students operate under different laws and frameworks, primarily the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For parents, understanding how disability accommodations in college work can help y...
Feb 05, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Recently, I had a brief but exciting discussion with a parent on Instagram who asked for some help for her 14 year old son. He was recently diagnosed with dyslexia. Now here’s the thing, he’s in private school. Now, private schools are under no obligation to do anything, but this student’s school is willing to work with the student. In this episode, I’m going to go over my advice on what to do in this unique situation. This will be great for any homeschoolers out there who have a child with a hi...
Jan 29, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 110
After a long winter break, many college students experience a mixture of excitement and anxiety about returning to campus. For students with disabilities, including those managing mental health conditions, this transition can feel especially challenging. The return to college often brings academic stress, social adjustments, and the pressures of balancing responsibilities. Here’s how parents can support their students in managing anxiety and promoting their mental well-being as they head back to...
Jan 22, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Starting college is an exciting time for students, but for those with disabilities, the transition can be especially challenging. Establishing a solid support system on campus is a critical step for these students to feel connected, supported, and empowered to be at their best. And you’ve heard me say, “a connected student is a successful student.” A college support system includes a network of friends, academic mentors, and professional resources that help students navigate the academic, social...
Jan 15, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 108
For college students with disabilities, SMART goals aren't just beneficial—it’s essential. SMART Goals help students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and mental health challenges to stay organized, focused, and resilient as they navigate the unique demands of college life. In this episode, we’ll cover strategies to help students set effective SMART goals for the semester ahead. Click the link below to get the college services planner mentioned in the episode. College Services Planner Click Here...
Jan 08, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Expectations are often better than the realities of college. Eager freshmen might overlook these realities, but for students with learning disabilities, the impact can be even greater. In this episode, I’ll be sharing insights for prospective students and parents about the realities of college life, along with the essential tools and mindset shifts needed to tackle potential challenges. My goal is to encourage incoming students to set themselves up for success—while still embracing all the excit...
Jan 01, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 106
In this episode, we delve into the pivotal task of assessing your semester—especially when it seems like everything went smoothly. We explore the necessity of avoiding complacency and seeking areas for improvement even in successful times. We start by reflecting on what went well, conducting a comprehensive class review that delves into preferred elements, dislikes, professors' impacts, and key information gained. A skills review follows, spotlighting eight essential skills using a soft skills p...
Dec 18, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 105
This episode is all about my journey as a father to a son with hidden disabilities and what that taught me about the power of self-advocacy in higher education. As a college therapist and a former accessibility coordinator, I saw firsthand the unique challenges faced by students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and mental health, which led me to found Accessing College. Through this platform, I’m dedicated to empowering parents and students with learning disabilities by providing essential tool...
Dec 11, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 104
In this episode, we dive into 10 mindset shifts for college success. Discover how these mindset shifts can help your college student create a distraction-free study environment, use powerful study techniques like the Pomodoro method, and stay focused on their academic goals. Whether you're struggling with phone notifications, social media, or other distractions, this episode will equip you with practical tips to enhance your concentration, wellbeing, and productivity for finals and all semester ...
Dec 04, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Finals week can be a challenging time for college students, filled with stress and anxiety. As a parent, your support can make a significant difference in your student's performance and well-being. In this blog post, we will explore various ways parents can help their college students navigate finals week successfully. From providing emotional support to practical assistance, here are some essential tips to guide your student through this critical period. Help for your College Journey Advocacy T...
Nov 27, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 102
