Understanding The Challenges Of Student Transitions

When we talk about accommodations, there’s a critical gap we often overlook: the transition from high school to college. In high school, students with disabilities often have IEPs or 504 Plans, along with a team of teachers and counselors helping them navigate and advocate for accommodations. However, once they reach college, many find themselves in an environment that shifts the responsibility almost entirely onto them—with far fewer resources and support to back them up. Most college disability offices across the country are well-intentioned, but many aren’t fully equipped to bridge this transition effectively. Too often, students with disabilities are expected to know what accommodations they need, how to request them, and how to navigate complex systems—all without the guidance they once had in primary school. This expectation places an enormous burden on young adults who are already adjusting to new academic and social pressures. Instead of pointing the finger at students to have all the answers, college disability offices should be proactive allies. Imagine if colleges prioritized: • Proactive Orientation Programs for students with disabilities, covering available accommodations, self-advocacy strategies, and campus resources. • Staff Training on inclusive support that doesn’t assume students know what to request, but instead helps them explore their options. • Clear, Accessible Information on accommodations, eliminating the need for students to dig for resources they may not even know exist. As a disability advocate, and someone who has gone through the system to a professional program and now a career- I see firsthand the challenges students face in navigating this transition. We need a cultural shift in higher education where supporting students with disabilities isn’t about minimum compliance but about empowering them to succeed. #DisabilityAdvocacy #HigherEducation #Inclusion #Accessibility #Accommodations #StudentSuccess

Why do executive function skills matter so much in college? Time management, organization, task initiation and self-advocacy aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. Without these skills, even highly capable students with #ADHD, #dyslexia, or other learning differences can struggle. In high school, supports are built in. Teachers remind, parents step in, #disability accommodations are coordinated through #IEPs or 504 plans. But in college, that safety net disappears. Professors expect students to manage deadlines, request accommodations, and seek help independently. Many parents are surprised to learn that: • Colleges don’t send parents regular updates on student performance • Missing assignments may go unnoticed • Accommodations require self-disclosure and registration with disability services This shift can feel like stepping off a cliff for many #neurodivergent young adults. At Top College Consultants, we help students prepare for this transition by addressing common challenges such as time blindness, avoidance, over-reliance on memory, and underutilization of resources. Here are four ways families can build college readiness now: ⭐ Practice self-advocacy: Encourage students to communicate with teachers and request accommodations ⭐ Use digital tools together: Shared calendars and task managers help build habits before college ⭐ Normalize asking for help: Role-play how to approach professors or #tutoring services ⭐ Explore disability services early: Touring offices reduces anxiety and builds confidence College readiness is much more than your GPA - it’s about your mindset, skills, and growth. Learn more about this topic in our recent blog post: https://lnkd.in/g72yjQak If you’re supporting a neurodivergent student getting ready for college, sign up for our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gu9Xjnyh Join the amazing Tech for College Success workshops at https://lnkd.in/gGQaSeg4 (coming July 29-31) and save $50 with the code ERIC. #CollegeReadiness #CollegeTransition #Neurodiversity #ADHD #Autism #LearningDifferences #ExecutiveFunction #CollegeSupport #StudentSuccess #TopCollegeConsultants #EducationMatters #ParentingTeens #SelfAdvocacy #CollegeBound #ADHDsupport #AutismSupport #DyslexiaSupport #SpecialNeedsParents #SpecialEducation #HighSchoolCounselors #EducationalConsultants #DisabilitySupport

No one warned me that college success depends more on navigating endless choices than on intelligence. When I was a first-generation college student with undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia, I didn't know why college felt so disorienting. I had done well enough in high school. But suddenly, the structure I'd learned to navigate was gone. In its place was choice. Agency. Independence. While that sounds empowering, it felt like being dropped into a maze blindfolded. This image attempts to captures that shift. In high school, the hallway is narrow but defined. One path. Fixed directions. In college, everything opens up. The possibilities multiply. There's no obvious route forward. Some students thrive in that expansive space. Others feel overwhelmed by it. No one prepared us for this fundamental shift. No one explained that college success requires more than just intelligence and effort. Now, as an academic and coach, I work with students navigating this same invisible maze. Many are neurodivergent. Some are first-generation. All are learning how to self-regulate, prioritize, and plan in an environment that assumes they already know how. They don't lack capability. They lack context. The good news? Many skills related to managing executive function are learnable. With support, reflection, and specific executive function strategies, students can navigate this maze with growing confidence. College isn't just about choosing a major. College isn't about choosing which party to go to. It's about learning how to choose effectively, and sometimes, when not to choose at all. Have you watched students struggle with this transition? What strategies have you seen work? How can we better prepare students for this invisible challenge that so many face alone? #HigherEd #ExecutiveFunction #ADHD #FirstGenStudents #CollegeTransition #Dyslexia