From IEP to Independence: How Ask the Advocate Helps College Students with Learning Disabilities Transition Successfully

Transitioning from High School to College can be challenging for students with learning disabilities (LD). Ask the Advocate can help.

Sending your student with learning disabilities off to college is a major milestone—and an emotional one. After years of supporting their IEPs, attending team meetings, and making sure services were in place, you’re now faced with a new challenge: stepping back while ensuring your student has what they need to thrive.

But here’s the truth many families don’t hear: accommodations alone aren’t always enough. And while your student may be legally entitled to support through the college’s Disability Services office, that doesn’t mean they’ll know how—or feel comfortable—advocating for it.

This is where Ask the Advocate comes in.

Why the IEP-to-College Transition Is So Hard

Under IDEA, K–12 students with disabilities receive robust, team-based support. In college, the landscape changes dramatically. There are no IEP meetings, no case managers, and far less parental involvement. While accommodations (like extended time or note-taking services) are available under Section 504 and the ADA, the burden of accessing those supports shifts entirely to the student.

For many students, especially those with executive functioning challenges, anxiety, or learning disabilities, this shift is overwhelming.

Parents often try to fill the gap—but that’s not a sustainable or empowering solution.

The Importance of Fading Support—Without Letting Go Completely

It’s essential to gradually fade support, giving your student room to grow as an advocate and independent learner. But fading doesn’t mean dropping everything and hoping they figure it out.

Ask the Advocate offers a structured bridge—supporting your student while helping them build the skills and confidence to manage on their own.

How We Help

Ask the Advocate provides comprehensive transition support tailored to your student’s unique needs. Our services include:

• Direct coordination with college Disability Services offices to ensure accommodations are in place and followed

• Executive functioning support to help students stay on top of assignments, manage deadlines, and maintain organization

• Serving as a liaison between the student, professors, and support services—advocating on their behalf while modeling self-advocacy skills

• Helping students set goals and gradually take ownership of their academic and disability-related needs

What We See—and Why It Matters

The most common failure point for students with learning disabilities in college isn’t academic skill—it’s the loss of structured support. Too often, students fall behind, become overwhelmed, or even leave school because simple systems weren’t in place.

The difference between a student who struggles for months (or drops out entirely) and one who finds success often comes down to one thing: the right supports at the right time.

Protect Your Investment

College is a major financial and emotional investment. You’ve spent years helping your student get to this point—don’t let the system drop them now.

Hiring Ask the Advocate means you’re putting experienced, compassionate guidance in place to help your student succeed—and grow into the independent, self-advocating adult you know they can be.

📅 Book a consultation today and let’s talk about how we can support your college student through this next chapter.