SERVICES
ND/LD Help for Independent Educational Consultants (IECs)
Overview
The college admissions process is complex, and ND/LD student support may fall outside some consultants' expertise. Dr. Katie offers college-readiness evaluations or single-session case triage in partnership with other consultants, complementing their existing services. Her expert guidance ensures clients receive holistic ND/LD support while aligning with the consultant’s admissions package. Dr.Katie provides support for understanding nuanced medical or educational reports, can contribute to development for college lists, and recommend ancillary or community resources in best service for a student’s unique learner profile and needs.
With her expertise in sensitive conversations, and navigating accommodations and college options, Dr. Katie partners with fellow college consultants to navigate realistic expectations with their clients and families. She supports triage discussions to assess a student’s actual accommodation needs while accounting for their preferred college environments. For complex cases, she partners with IECs to ensure families can plan for the right level of support.
Review of IEP/504 documents
Reviewing IEP and 504 documents can be challenging because they are often lengthy, filled with specialized language, and vary widely in detail and clarity. Understanding how these accommodations translate to the college setting requires expertise in both K-12 special education and higher education disability services. Dr. Katie’s experience allows her to interpret these documents effectively, summarize key insights, and provide actionable recommendations. By offering this specialized review, she helps other college consultants ensure their clients receive the right guidance for a smooth transition to college.
Placement and Accommodation recommendations
Dr. Katie’s expertise in higher education helps IECs build a college list that aligns with a student’s accommodation needs, academic goals, and personal preferences. She understands how colleges differ in support structures, accessibility, and neurodiversity inclusion. While traditional ND/LD resources provide a starting point, her in-depth knowledge contributes to realistic expectations about accommodations, self-advocacy support, and campus culture—helping families find the best long-term fit.
Referrals for testing
Each college has its own process for enrolling students in learning accommodations, typically through a disability services office (DSO) or equivalent. Many follow a “gold standard” requiring a recent neuropsychological evaluation, usually within three years of enrollment. Colleges often have strict criteria for qualified assessment providers and acceptable reports. It’s important for IECs and families to understand that most colleges will not consider an IEP or 504 report as “transferable” or a qualified document for this purpose. Dr. Katie helps navigate these requirements and find the right assessment provider based on a family’s needs and resources.
Ready To Get Started?
If you’re a college consultant or IEC seeking expert support for neurodiverse or learning-different students, Dr. Katie is here to help. Whether you need a one-time consultation, a college-readiness evaluation for a student in the Denver area, possible one-time triage for a family expectations conversation, or ongoing partnership for complex cases, her expertise can enhance your client support. Dr. Katie respects each situation as another IEC’s client, and assists with agreed partnership to the level of preference and need. Click the button below to complete a short intake form and explore how AutismNERD can collaborate with your practice.
At Colorado’s largest university, 15% of total student enrollment is DSO registered. This is considered an average percentage across U.S. colleges.
Taking a broad definition of neurodivergence (including autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other cognitive differences), estimates suggest this up to 30% of the U.S. population
Summary: More students likely need access to official college learning accommodations than currently receive support.
What Is At Stake?
The current estimate for neurodivergent students who do attend college, only 40% will make it to graduation. For the other 6 out of 10 students, costs in terms of financial, experiential, and emotional can be high. This is the difference between students who are “college-capable” or admissions ready, vs “college-ready” or graduation capable. Our college-readiness evaluation explores 7 dynamics of essential components that bridge necessary skills to transition from college-capable to college-ready. This data driven approach in making choices for college supports a family during a critical transition period and supports a student to continue a path of progress in their education journey toward the goal of graduation.
A few Research Facts:
(2016) For every 10 LD/ND students that start at a bachelor’s granting college, 4 make it to graduation
(2023) Across Junior engineering students, 40% self-identified ND but 10% were enrolled in campus DSO accommodations
(2022) Across all Colorado colleges, for all enrolled students, 7% were enrolled in campus DSO (Disability Services Office) accommodations
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What types of students and families do you work with?I support families of neurodiverse high school students across all ND/LD profiles who need learning accommodations in college or post-secondary education. With personal experience across autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and executive functioning challenges, I help motivated students navigate their next steps.
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How does your consulting process work?Once we sign our agreement to work together and the initial retainer deposit is paid, I review key documents (IEP/504, neuro-evaluations, transcripts) and schedule an in-person visit (Denver metro area). Using a qualitative approach, I assess college readiness across seven key areas in a relaxed setting where students and families can ask questions. I then provide personalized recommendations and ongoing support as needed.
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Do you offer guarantees?I cannot guarantee outcomes, secure college admissions, compel participation, or ensure graduation. I do not have a magic wand. But my knowledge is your power, and I am highly knowledgeable on all aspects of college and support for learning challenges. Therefore, if your family is unsure where to start, overwhelmed by options, or worried about the financial risk of “trying college” without a clear plan, our conversation can help you navigate the best path forward.
