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
323: When Your Child Makes Bad Choices [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:00
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322: How Parents Can Have Better Sex [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
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321: When Alcohol is the only way to cope with motherhood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:29
When Alcohol is the only way to cope with motherhood Have you ever felt the pressure to be the ”perfect mom”? It’s a feeling so many of us can relate to, but for some, that pressure becomes an overwhelming burden that le…
320: How Much Does It Really Cost To Raise A Child? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
How much does it really cost to raise a child? Are you a parent or thinking about becoming one? Wondering how to navigate the financial side of raising a child? In this eye-opening Impactful Parent episode, we take a dee…
319: Ai Companions and Your Teenager [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:28
Ai Companions and Your Teenager Hey everyone, have you ever felt like you’re losing your teenager to their phone? You’re not alone! In this video, join podcast host Kristina Campos as she sits down with communication tra…
318: Healing Yourself To Be A Better Parent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:15
Healing Yourself To Be A Better Parent In this episode, podcast host Kristina Campos sits down with Brian Power, who shares his raw and honest story of how his marriage went from a ”good relationship” to a ”complete rela…
317: Divorce. Answers to the Questions You Want To Ask [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:11
Divorce. Answers to the Questions You Want To Ask. Are you a parent navigating the complexities of divorce? You’re not alone, and this episode of ”The Impactful Parent” is a must-watch! In this incredibly insightful epis…
316: Helping High School Grads Who Are Struggling in College [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:53
Helping High School Grads Who Are Struggling in College In this episode of ”The Impactful Parent,” host Kristina Campos sits down with therapeutic consultant Joanna Lily to discuss the challenges young adults face when t…
315: Is My Child Ready For Music Lessons? and Prevent burn out! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:33
Is my child ready for music lessons? Join Kristina Campos from The Impactful Parent as she sits down with Michael Hensworth, a music school owner and author of ”Mr. Michael’s Music Maker Manual,” to discuss a common chal…
314: Divorce: What if you stayed together for the kids? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:12
Divorce: What if you stayed together for the kids? Many leave a marriage because they crave an escape from issues they can’t seem to face or handle with their spouse. But there’s an immense price to pay: the happiness of…