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56: College is not grade 13-What Parents need to know

SHOW SUMMARY:

Preparing a teen for college can feel overwhelming, especially when ADHD or other disabilities are part of the picture. In this conversation, Elizabeth Hamblet—learning disability specialist and author of Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities—shares practical, reassuring guidance for families navigating the transition from high school to college. Elizabeth explains why college is not “grade 13,” and why students need more than strong grades to thrive. She breaks down the major differences between high school and college disability support, including why many accommodations that are common in high school do not automatically transfer to college. From self-advocacy to executive functioning, from deadlines to disclosure, she offers a realistic look at what students need in order to build confidence and independence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why “competence builds confidence”
  • How to gradually reduce adult-directed supports in high school
  • The difference between access in college and success-focused supports in K–12
  • Why productive struggle matters for growth
  • Which accommodations often do not carry over to college
  • How students can practice self-advocacy before the transition
  • What families should consider when choosing a college
  • Why admission and disability services are separate processes
  • When and how to think about disclosing a disability
  • Elizabeth also shares why parents should take the long view and help teens build the skills they’ll need before leaving home, including organization, emotional regulation, decision-making, and asking for help.

If you’re a parent, clinician, or student preparing for college, this episode is packed with honest insight and encouragement.

Key takeaways

  • College accommodations are about access, not guaranteeing success.
  • Students grow when they’re allowed to struggle productively.
  • The earlier families start preparing, the smoother the transition can be.
  • Self-determination and self-advocacy are essential life skills.
  • The best college fit is about more than disability services alone.

 

SHOW NOTES:

  • Make sure to follow us on social media (Instagram) @ADHDMomDocs you can send us a DM with a question or suggestions for future episodes! Or send us an email at HelloADHDMomDocs@gmail.com We'd love to hear from you!
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  • Connect with our guest, Elizabeth Hamblet at https://ldadvisory.com

    • The third edition of her book, Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities, is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-text, and Kindle form. The audio book comes out September 3rd2026.  The publisher offers 10% off if folks order directly from them. See purchase options there and on other sites: https://bit.ly/ECHbook

    • Liz also wrote a concise 6-page guide to college transition. Better product for students than the book (which is more for parents): https://bit.ly/TTCG

    •On-demand Webinars On Preparing Students with Disabilities For Successful College Transition

    The two webinars are:

    Academic Disability Accommodations at College: What They Are and Why They Change

    Preparing Students with Disabilities for Successful College Transition

     DISCOUNT CODE for our listeners: ADHDMOMDOCS

     

    FREE RESOURCES FROM LIZ

    Check out her Youtube channel that houses talks with other professionals around college transition and video versions of a lot of my advice posts, for people who prefer watching to reading: https://bit.ly/LDAYT

    Join her free Facebook group for parents focused on college accommodations where I answer to questions to make sure families are getting correct information. Pros can join as passive members: https://bit.ly/FBGCTA

    Sign up to receive her free twice-monthly newsletter that features one of the posts from my blog and offers two additional resources. If you want an easy way to get resources to share, you can subscribe here: https://bit.ly/LDANS  She never sells or shares her list, and unsubscribing is easy.

    If you are on Substack, she is too! Follow as she will explain how disability laws really work at college, using real-life examples: https://echamblet.substack.com/

  • TEACH ME ADHD DOORS NOW OPEN! FALL 2026 there are FOUR CLASS TIMES TO CHOOSE FROM! 

    Check out testimonials from other families who have completed TEACH Me ADHD

    One with a child and parent: https://youtu.be/QQFYO05Hu_s?si=6BtypcxSJp5oRSz5

    One with Sr Detective Scooter: https://youtu.be/wNTYbvd9wv4

    There are many more on Dr Bauer's YouTube channel! 

    ENROLL TODAY! Registration will CLOSE as soon as an instructor's class max is reached. If you are toying with doing it---DO IT NOW or you'll have to wait until at least JANUARY 2027 when doors open again! Head to https://www.letstalkkidshealth.org and sign up now!

TIP: If you are a private practice client of Dr Bauer, Dr Dilts, Dr. Cohen, Dr Stuppy, Kim Erlich or a coaching client of Julie Gates, please reach out to your respective TEACH Me ADHD team contact for your "TOP SECRET" code to get $100 off registration.