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Ep. 237: Beyond Accommodations: How Neurodivergent Students Can Thrive in College with Eric Endlich, Ph.D

Release Date: 06/03/2025

Ep. 248: The Power of Early Intervention: How Neuroplasticity Shapes Young Brains with Dr. Viannae Nelkin

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is . Dr. Viannae Nelkin is a board-eligible pediatric neuropsychologist and founder of . She earned her master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology, training at top institutions including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Her work focuses on early intervention, neurodiversity-affirming care, and empowering families to help their children thrive. Deeply committed to supporting children with neurological and genetic...

Ep. 247: Helping Kids by Building Stronger Families: A Systems Approach to Support with Dr. Adi Soffer

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We happily welcome to Diverse Thinking Different Learning this week! Adi Soffer, PsyD is a licensed psychologist who works with children, teens, and families, and she combines family structure therapy with evidence-based practices to help families strengthen communication, establish healthy boundaries, and deepen emotional connections. Passionate about guiding parents and children through challenges such as anxiety, behavioral issues, and major life changes, Dr. Soffer offers care via her private practice, Kesher Psychological Services. She sees clients in Los Angeles and provides virtual...

Ep. 246: Accommodations, Modifications, or Remediation? How to Know What Your Child Really Needs with Amy Cushner

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

For this episode of the show, we are joined by ! Amy has dedicated more than 30 years to the Shelton School and a lifetime to advocating for neurodivergent individuals, infusing passion, humor, and wisdom into every stage she graces. From classrooms in Dallas to conferences in China, she has become a sought-after voice championing inclusive, strengths-based approaches across both education and business.. In this episode, Amy breaks down the important differences between accommodations, modifications, and remediation in the education system, explaining how these terms are often used...

Ep. 245: What Is Executive Function Coaching? with Rana Lustyan

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Rana Lustyan! is the founder of Growing Minds Coaching, where she helps students with learning differences develop confidence, independence, and academic achievement. She combines strength-based coaching, neuroscience-informed methods, and practical executive function tools to create personalized routines that last. Rana shares her personal journey with ADHD and how it inspired her to help students, especially girls and young women, build the essential life skills needed for lasting confidence and independence. She...

Ep. 244: From Burnout to Balance: Supporting Parents Raising Neurodivergent Kids with Leslie Forde

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Leslie Forde! Leslie is the CEO and Founder of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs® and soon-to-be published Author of Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs. Her business provides evidence-based tools to help moms reclaim their time and well-being from the never-done-list while also helping employers retain working parents and caregivers. Since March of 2020, over 3,700 parents have participated in her research study (the longest-running of its kind) on the pandemic’s ongoing impact on work,...

Ep. 243: From Inclusion to Belonging: Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools with Amanda Morin

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are happy to welcome to the show this week! Amanda is a neurodivergent advocate for neurodiversity, an award-winning author of six books, an early childhood expert, and a nationally recognized speaker who is passionate about building accessible and inclusive spaces for neurodivergent people. Drawing on her background in learning and child development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), special education, advocacy, and mental health, she translates complex information into clear, practical insights for parents, educators, and employers striving to design inclusive content, programs, and...

Ep. 242: How One Woman Rewired Her Brain and Created a Path for Struggling Learners with Barbara Arrowsmith-Young

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is ! Barbara is a pioneering author and innovator in neuroeducation, known for applying neuroplasticity to improve cognitive function. Since 1978, her work has helped individuals with learning difficulties, brain injuries, addiction, and age-related decline, and it is now used worldwide. She shares her groundbreaking journey in her bestselling book and her , and continues advancing research as Director of the program. In this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning, Barbara shares her deeply powerful journey of...

Ep. 241: How to Be a ‘Screen-Smart’ Parent with Jodi Gold, MD

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We are very excited to welcome of to the show this week. Dr. Jodi Gold is a board-certified pediatric and adult psychiatrist with expertise in child and adolescent pharmacology, reproductive psychiatry, psychotherapy for mood and anxiety disorders, and the impact of digital technology. She has earned multiple awards from esteemed organizations, including NIMH and AACAP. From 2006 to 2012, she led the child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient department at Weill Cornell and has since taught and mentored at both Cornell and Columbia. Dr. Gold is also the author of the acclaimed book , which...

Ep. 240: Using the Summer Months to Advance Reading Skills with Dr. Steve Truch & Devan Kublik

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We have not just one but two guests for you this week - Dr. Steve Truch and Devan Kublik! Steve has over 50 years of experience in education, beginning as a junior high school English teacher and then working as a school psychologist, ultimately founding clinics across North America to provide one-on-one therapy for students with learning difficulties. He is the primary author of the Discover educational programs used at the clinics and has written several books and articles on reading and cognitive assessment. His work reflects a continued commitment to aligning educational methods with...

Ep. 239: Balancing Summer Rest and Learning Support for Diverse Learners with Ashley Harding

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are happy to welcome Ashley Harding to the podcast this episode. Ashley is a fourth-generation educator and is deeply committed to educational equity. She holds degrees from USC and Tufts University in Child Development, and her career spans more than a decade, during which she has supported students and families in private and independent schools and contributed to global education initiatives in South Africa and Belize. Formerly the Director of External Engagement for a national school network, she has co-authored research on disparities affecting Black and Latino males and has been...

More Episodes

Joining us this week is returning guest Eric Endlich, Ph.D. Dr. Endlich is a clinical psychologist and founder of Top College Consultants®, which specializes in guiding neurodivergent students through the college application process. An advocate and expert in the field and a neurodivergent adult himself, he co-teaches a UC Irvine course for educational consultants, manages a large Facebook group for parents of neurodivergent students, and serves on advisory boards related to autism and neurodiversity.

Dr. Endlich joins us this week to discuss the far too often overlooked challenges that neurodivergent students face when transitioning from high school to college. While gaining admission is one big challenge, the real challenge is succeeding once on campus, and Dr. Endlich sheds some light on some of the key differences between being college-capable and college-ready, highlighting the fact that students with learning and thinking differences are typically at much higher risk of not completing their degrees.

We also explore some practical strategies to help students prepare for the increased independence and self-advocacy required in college life, with topics including building executive functioning skills in high school, the value of gap years, and how parents can gradually transition from being advocates to coaches. Dr. Endlich even talks about how to find the right college fit and make the most of on-campus resources, especially for students needing accommodations and support programs.

Whether your teen is just starting high school or gearing up for college in the upcoming fall season, this episode of the podcast truly provides some practical insights into how to foster independence!

Show Notes:

[2:39] - Dr. Endlich asserts that too many students focus too much on getting into college rather than graduating from it.
[4:43] - Success in college requires more than just academic capability; independence and self-management skills are also important.
[6:36] - College demands greater self-organization and disability accommodation compared to high school.
[8:57] - Dr. Endlich argues that parents should shift from advocating for their child to empowering their independence.
[10:26] - Gradually transferring daily responsibilities helps students build independence before college.
[13:02] - Taking a gap year can improve college preparedness and help prevent academic burnout.
[15:10] - Dr. Endlich adds that gap years can strengthen a student's portfolio and develop valuable life skills.
[18:02] - Consider the long-term value of a degree and explore financial aid options.
[19:51] - Dr. Endlich points out how skill development can happen during high school, gap years, or throughout college.
[22:44] - Even if colleges lack support, external programs can provide assistance and guidance.
[25:26] - Visiting various colleges helps students identify their preferences and find the right fit.
[28:09] - It's also important to make visits to dining halls and have meetings with support staff, helping to reveal the college's suitability.
[31:02] - Even without campus visits, virtual tours and accepted-student events can also offer some valuable insights.
[34:58] - Bridge programs help students acclimate to college life before the official start.
[36:28] - Dr. Endlich states that carefully managing the application process and having backup plans can help reduce anxiety.

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