Episode #109
Is Your ADHD Teen Ready for College? Admissions, Accommodations & Independence with Gerene Keesler
Getting your ADHD kid into college is one thing. But are they actually ready to manage college without you? In this episode of Chaos & Caffeine: ADHD Parenting Podcast , Danielle Kelly sits down with Gerene Keesler , founder of Admissions Untangled and a college admissions expert with more than 30 years of experience, to talk about what parents of ADHD and neurodivergent teens need to know BEFORE college move-in day. Because college readiness isn't just GPA, SAT scores, applications and acceptance letters. For an ADHD student, it can also mean managing executive functioning, deadlines, organization, medication, accommodations, professors, laundry, sleep, money, appointments—and knowing when and how to ask for help. Gerene brings both professional and personal experience to this conversation. After spending decades working in college admissions and higher education, she now specializes in helping neurodivergent students navigate the college admissions process, identify schools that fit their actual needs, develop self-advocacy skills, and prepare for greater independence. We're talking about: How to know if your ADHD teen is actually ready for college Executive functioning skills students need before leaving home How ADHD accommodations change from high school to college What happens to an IEP or 504 Plan after high school Teaching ADHD teens to advocate for themselves How parents can gradually step back without removing support completely What to look for when choosing a college for an ADHD or neurodivergent student Why the "best" college isn't necessarily the most prestigious one College admissions and application strategies for neurodivergent students When a traditional four-year college may NOT be the best next step Preparing ADHD teens for deadlines, organization and independence How parents can stop being their teenager's external frontal lobe before move-in day Gerene's message is one every ADHD parent needs to hear: The goal isn't simply finding a college that will accept your child. It's finding a place where your child can actually thrive. And preparing them doesn't mean making sure they never struggle. It means helping them build the skills to recognize when they're struggling, advocate for what they need, access support—and recover when things inevitably go sideways. If you're raising an ADHD middle schooler or high schooler and college feels simultaneously exciting and absolutely freaking terrifying, start here. Connect with Gerene Admissions Untangled This Month's Sponsors: bina school A small, global online school built for kids who need learning to be more flexible, personalized, and human. Ted Kangaroo Sensory tools that help kids wiggle, focus, and regulate—without another battle. Use code: CHAOS20 to save 20%. Parker & Talia Sensory-friendly clothing and socks made for kids who can’t just “ignore” the tag, seam, texture, or waistband. Reading.com Helping struggling readers build confidence and parents keep their sanity one lesson at a time. DSS Games Helping families put down the screens, laugh together, and actually enjoy spending time with each other again. Inclusive Expectations Special education advocacy and personalized support helping parents navigate IEPs, school meetings, and accommodations with more confidence. MaryRuth Organics If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend. Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com . Support the show Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine , a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids. Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills. Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at: https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.
