Navigating College Disability Documentation: What Every Parent Needs to Know

In this episode of After the IEP, we tackle a crucial concern for parents and students alike – choosing the right college for individuals with disabilities. Navigating the complexities of college selection can be daunting, especially when it comes to accommodating specific needs. Join us as we discuss the importance of finding a college that aligns with your disability requirements, focusing on learning differences (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mental health (MH). We emphasize the significance of prioritizing your needs over wants, understanding your disability, and being open to necessary accommodations. With practical tips, we guide you through essential questions to ask, ensuring the chosen college provides the necessary support and learning environment. The ultimate goal is to empower students and parents to make informed decisions, reducing tension and fostering mature decision-making.

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Beyond the Brochure: The Ultimate Guide to College Tours for Students with Hidden Disabilities

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In this insightful episode, we unpack the blueprint for fostering self-advocacy in college-bound students. Through the "I do, we do, you do" model, discover how to gradually empower them to self-advocate effectively. From scheduling their own appointments with healthcare professionals to handling takeout orders and picking up prescriptions (with a bonus: learning to ask pertinent questions), these seemingly routine tasks are pivotal in honing their self-advocacy skills.

Moreover, we explore the importance of asking questions during college tours and scheduling appointments to meet Disability Support Services (DSS) staff. Learn how these interactions can profoundly impact a student's ability to navigate academic accommodations effectively. Tune in and equip yourself with practical tools to empower your student's journey toward success!

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Self-Advocacy for Higher Education Book

In this podcast episode, we uncover the pivotal role of self-advocacy for college students with disabilities. While self-advocacy is widely acknowledged and supported, how to develop self-advocacy is absent from K-12. In addition, self-advocacy's significance within higher education and beyond often remains overlooked. 

I redefine self-advocacy as a lot more than "speaking up." It's main effort is fostering self-awareness, from navigating strengths, weaknesses, and setting attainable goals.  I'll explore aspects of effective self-advocacy as it extends to encompassing seeking help when necessary and prioritizing overall wellness for college and beyond.

Discover the interconnectedness between self-advocacy and a student's future trajectory, influencing subsequent generations. Join me as I uncover the essential components of self-advocacy. Grab your notes as we unravel the keys to unstressing success in college through proactive self-advocacy.

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Unravel the complexities of college responsibilities in this episode! Gain valuable insights into managing daily tasks, notifying instructors, and optimizing accommodations for academic success. Learn how proactive communication and informed choices about accommodations impact the college journey. We explore the use of assistive technology, test accommodations' intricacies, and troubleshooting techniques. This episode equips students and parents with indispensable guidance for a seamless transition into college life. Tune in to unlock the keys to a successful first semester and empower students to navigate their responsibilities with confidence!

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Tune in to our latest episode, "How To Eliminate The Sunday Scaries For Good," where we dive into practical strategies to bid farewell to that looming feeling of anxiety before the week begins.

Do you know a student caught in the grip of the Sunday scaries? Discover how a simple shift in perspective can reframe those feelings from anxiety to normal pre-week concerns. In this episode, we unravel the secrets to actively dealing with stress and anxiety through a personalized wellness plan tailored for students.

Routine and structure serve as anchors in an unpredictable world. Learn how establishing a sense of safety through a structured plan can alleviate the Sunday scaries. We'll guide you through the process of setting semester goals, then breaking them down into manageable monthly, weekly, and daily plans.

But that’s not all—find out how reviewing plans daily, both in the morning and evening, coupled with a forward-looking review of upcoming weeks and months, can be the key to tackling longer assignments and unexpected challenges. Join us as we help your student unstress their success!

Time Mnagement Essentials For College Students 

Welcome to "After the IEP," where we dive into navigating the college experience. In this episode, "College Transition Tips: Seeking help? What gets in the way?" we unpack the complexities surrounding asking for help in college.

Parents often worry about their student's ability to seek assistance when needed. However, various factors hinder this process. From denial and the pressure to appear independent to the fear of failure ingrained in us, these barriers often overshadow the necessity of seeking help. We explore how our belief that we should inherently know what to do impacts our willingness to ask for support. Moreover, the abundance of resources available sometimes goes unnoticed, leaving students unaware of the aid at their disposal.

Distractions and conflicting priorities further compound the challenge. By addressing these hurdles head-on, we empower both parents and students to recognize these barriers and proactively overcome them. Tune in for strategies and insights on navigating this essential aspect of the college journey on "After the IEP."

Ep. 30 How to go From Stress to Success: Growth Mindset for College Students

Ep 56 One Skill That Can Change Their Life: Resilience - Accessing College

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In this episode, we confront a common myth: the pursuit of life balance in college. This episode challenges the notion that balance is the ultimate goal for students.

Ever heard someone clamor for more life balance? It's a familiar refrain, but here's the catch—balance might not be the panacea we imagine it to be. In fact, striving for it could lead to more problems than solutions. So, what's the alternative? Flexibility takes center stage in this discussion. Exploring the pitfalls of rigid balance, we unravel the concept's consequences, from conflicting priorities to stifling constraints.

Instead, we champion flexibility as the true north for college success. Discover how embracing flexibility unlocks a world of benefits, enabling students to navigate shifting priorities and achieve a state of flow. Join us as we explore the power of flexibility over the illusory pursuit of balance in the college journey. Tune in for insights that might just redefine your approach to student life!

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Welcome to the anniversary special of After the IEP! As we celebrate a year of incredible conversations and insights, join me in revisiting the top 10 episodes of 2023 that resonated most with our amazing audience.

Starting off our countdown at number 10 is "Practical College Accommodations for Anxiety You Need to Know." From there, we'll journey through episodes that delve into empowering students with hidden disabilities, navigating college documentation, and understanding ADHD accommodations.

Discover the uplifting ways to encourage your college student in episode 9, followed by the essential strategies for junior year in high school, specially requested by our listeners in episode 8.

We'll explore the realities every freshman should know, the triggers of anxiety in college students, and whether a new psychoeducational evaluation is necessary for college readiness. Each episode encapsulates key takeaways that struck a chord with our community.

Remember, your voice matters! Just like episode 37, your topics and questions can shape the podcast. Reach out via email or DM on IG to spark conversations and insights. Tune in for a celebration of learning and empowerment on After the IEP's anniversary special!

To listen to all the episodes, click the link below for the whole list. 

Celebrating One Year of Empowerment: After the IEP Anniversary Special

Welcome to After the IEP! In this month’s episode, we're diving into a critical skill that can redefine your child's trajectory: resilience. Failure is inevitable, especially in the journey of a student. As parents, witnessing these setbacks can be tough, but fostering resilience can empower them to bounce back stronger.

In this installment, we embark on a journey to equip both parents of college-goers and high schoolers with pivotal strategies for building resilience. Join us as we dissect Bruce Lee's wisdom—shaping our children's skills not by providing what we lacked but by teaching what we didn't learn.

We'll explore the essence of resilience, emphasizing that failure marks not the end but a beginning. Unpacking the significance of a growth mindset (featured in episode 30) and grasping the art of introspection: acknowledging lessons learned and envisioning necessary changes.

Crucially, self-care takes center stage—we emphasize its non-negotiable role in the resilience-building process. Shifting perspectives, we reframe learning as a continuous journey, not a final destination devoid of mistakes. Plus, crafting a wellness plan becomes a cornerstone to nurturing resilience.

As we gear up to celebrate the podcast's first anniversary next week, let’s mark this milestone by joining in on this vital conversation. Tune in and equip yourself with the tools to instill resilience in your child’s journey toward success in college and life.

Ep. 30 How to go From Stress to Success: Growth Mindset for College Students

Ep 52 An Important Truth. You Need To Let Them Fail.

Ep 53 The Best Practical Reasons To Assess Their Semester.