354:  Preparing Neurodivergent Teens for College

354: Preparing Neurodivergent Teens for College

Author: Impactful Parent September 11, 2026 Duration: 26:38
Preparing Neurodivergent Teens for College Is your neurodivergent teen truly ready to step onto a college campus and take charge of their independence? Transitioning from high school to higher education is a massive leap for any child, but for students with ADHD, autism, or dyslexia, it comes with a unique set of challenges, rules, and opportunities. Watching your child struggle with focus, late-night study meltdowns, or organization can leave you asking: How on earth will they manage college on their own? In this episode of The Impactful Parent, host Kristina Campos is joined by veteran professor and founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants, Dr. Tara Williams. Together, they tear down common myths surrounding learning differences in college, discuss the massive shift in executive functioning demands, and break down how to build life-changing self-advocacy skills before move-in day. Learn how to shift your parenting role from a ”manager” to a supportive ”consultant,” set up productive work routines at home, navigate accommodations, and help your child build a safety net to prevent burnout! 📌 CALL TO ACTIONS & HELPFUL LINKS: 🔔 Subscribe & Share: Enjoying the show? Subscribe to the channel and share this podcast with a friend who could use these insights! 📱 Download the Free App & Join the Community: Download the free Impactful Parent App and access valuable parenting tools at https://theimpactfulparent.com. 🎓 Get College Transition Support: Book a free consultation with Dr. Tara Williams and her team at https://innovativecollegiateconsultants.com. 📖 Read the Book: Grab a copy of The Neurodivergent Student Journey by Dr. Tara Williams on Amazon. ⏰ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction: Transitioning Neurodivergent Teens to College 01:38 - Common Misconceptions About ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia in College 02:17 - Shifts in Executive Functioning and the Importance of Self-Advocacy 03:24 - IEP/504 Protections vs. College Accessibility Services 05:26 - Fostering Relationships with Professors and Creating Study Groups 07:02 - Overcoming Major Transition Challenges: Time Management & Organization 09:02 - How Parents Can Teach Executive Functioning Skills at Home 11:00 - Preventing Emotional Burnout & Managing Expectations 13:02 - What to Do If College Feels Overwhelming (Changing Majors & Alternative Paths) 16:48 - Shifting from Parent Manager to Academic Consultant 1 8:32 - Supporting Commuter & Community College Students Living at Home 19:52 - Essential College Accommodations & What Changes from High School 23:05 - Inside Dr. Tara Williams’ Book & Coaching Support Services 25:02 - An Impactful Encouragement for Overwhelmed Parents

Raising school-aged kids and teenagers often feels like navigating uncharted territory every single day. Parenting Tips, Resources and Strategies for Moms and Dads of Children, & Teenagers: Impactful Parenting is here for that exact journey, moving beyond simple advice to explore the real, sometimes messy work of building lasting bonds. Hosted by Impactful Parent, this podcast digs into the unique challenges that emerge as children grow, offering practical strategies and thoughtful resources drawn from real stories and experiences. You’ll find conversations that address those quiet doubts every parent has, wondering if what you’re facing is normal or searching for a better way to connect when things feel chaotic. Each episode serves as a thoughtful resource, transforming common struggles into opportunities for understanding and growth within your family. The focus is squarely on the school years through adolescence, a phase that demands a different parenting toolkit. By listening, you gain access to a supportive dialogue that blends education, relationship insights, and cultural awareness, all aimed at making daily family life feel more manageable and far more connected. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about impactful shifts that help you and your child navigate these formative years together with more confidence and less friction. Tune in for a genuine, story-driven approach that meets you right where you are.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Parenting Tips for Moms and Dads of School-aged Children & Teenagers: The Impactful Parenting Podcast
Podcast Episodes
353: Unmotivated Boys. What can parents do? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:16
Unmotivated Boys. What can parents do? Is your son losing his drive, disengaging from school, or spending all his time glued to screens? You’re not alone, and it’s not just in your head! In this episode of The Impactful…
352: Sibling Sexual Abuse Support [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:44
Sibling Sexual Abuse Support Did you know that suppressed childhood stress and boundary violations can actually manifest as unexplained chronic physical pain later in life? In this vital episode of The Impactful Parent,…
351: Why Good Dads Retreat (And How Mothers Can Help Them Step Up!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:14
Why Good Dads Retreat (And How Mothers Can Help Them Step Up!) Have you ever asked your partner for a little help around the house or with the kids, only for it to spiral into a debate, a silent shutdown, or a full-blown…
349: Grandparents are Important too. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:28
Have you ever felt like raising kids today requires a manual, a therapist, and three extra sets of hands? What if the missing piece to solving your child’s anxiety, screen time battles, and daily stress isn’t another par…
336: Emotional Intelligence for Dads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:35
Emotional Intelligence for Dads Are you running yourself ragged trying to provide for your family, only to realize you’re too exhausted to actually enjoy them? Dads, let’s be honest. Somewhere between rushing to sports p…
346: Internet Safety: Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
Internet safety: Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers If a stranger walked up to your teenager on the street and tried to manipulate what they believed, you’d step in instantly. But it’s happening every single day, co…
345: When the Silent Treatment Goes Too Far [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:16
The Silent Treatment In this powerful episode of The Impactful Parent, host Kristina Campos pulls back the curtain on the subtle, quiet dynamics that drain a mother’s energy and erode her confidence. Kristina is joined b…
344: The Questions Teens Are Really Asking! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:49
What Teens Are Really Asking In this episode, Kristina Campos and Jenny Colman dive deep into the digital world adolescents navigate today, revealing the unspoken questions and curiosities teens have about relationships,…