Back to School: Executive Function, Neurodiversity, and the Transition to College with Dr Tara Williams, Ep 91

Hey team,

Today we learn from Dr. Tara Williams, a tenured chemistry professor and founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants> We talk about why the transition from K–12 to college is so challenging—especially for neurodivergent students (with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia) and anyone struggling with executive functioning.

We dig into how technology and AI can both help and hinder attention, memory, and critical thinking, and why analog tools like handwriting and paper planners still matter. Tara shares common college stress points like navigating accommodations, self-advocacy, managing unstructured time, and building community through study groups and body doubling. We also explore how parents and educators can scaffold support without becoming a student’s external executive function, and Tara highlights a student success story involving a major change, accommodations, and a visual Post-it system. I learned a lot from my brilliant colleague, and I think you will, too!

All my love,

Sarah

Our show:

01:39 From Chem To Coaching

04:12 Invisible Skills And Life Stages

06:36 Tech Overload And AI

12:06 College Transition Struggles

15:26 Community And Body Doubling

18:16 Tips For Professors

21:47 Support Without Enabling

28:02 Student Success Story

30:45 Analog Systems And Grace

33:03 Where To Find Tara

About Tara: Dr. Tara Williams is the founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants and a tenured chemistry professor at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California. With a PhD in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Sussex, she has spent over twenty years teaching and more than a decade supporting neurodivergent students as they transition from K–12 to college. Her team specializes in executive functioning coaching and academic support grounded in Universal Design principles to help students build confidence and self-advocacy. Dr. Williams is currently publishing a book about her educational journey and her work with neurodivergent college students, set for release in July 2026.

Website: https://innovativecollegiateconsultants.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-williams-phd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iccedservices#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_innovative_consultants

Connect with me!

My book is out in the wild, and it's changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at ⁠Solution Tree ⁠or on ⁠Amazon⁠.

I'm also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we're finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, ⁠reach out⁠! Sarah at sarahkesty.com.