Neurodiversity and Higher Education

Show Notes – Episode Six – Matt Gunter from Inclusive AcademiaThis episode of the Neurodiversity and Higher Education welcomes Matt Gunter from Inclusive Academia and author of “Manager to Consultant: Parenting Your Neurodivergent College Student.”Matt Gunter became interested in the topic of neurodivergent student college readiness while exploring college options with his son. Matt collaborated with the College Autism Network (CAN) to create two workbooks for neurodivergent high school and college students and their families. In 2024, he published "College Readiness for Neurodivergent College Students." In February 2026, Matt and CAN released a second workbook entitled, "Manager to Consultant: Parenting Your Neurodivergent College Student." Matt hosts Inclusive Academia, a YouTube channel for neurodivergent high school students and their families who are exploring their educational and career options. Matt's also developing a mobile application called Routine Success that supports executive functioning and independent living skills. You can contact Matt at [email protected] are lots of great resources listed in our show notes or grab a pencil and paper to jot them down! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or suggested topics and speakers!Resources Mentioned:Inclusive Academia:https://www.youtube.com/@InclusiveAcademia College Readiness for Neurodivergent Students:https://www.college-ready.com/ Matt Gunter on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gunter-1946b96/About the Show:Neurodiversity and Higher Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581610651045  Neurodiversity and Higher Education Instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversityhigheredpodcast/   Neurodiversity and Higher Education Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MercyhurstNeurodiversity  About Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity:Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/neurodiversity  Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brad-mcgarry-center-for-neurodiversity-at-mercyhurst-university/   Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst website: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/aim 

Show Notes – Episode Five – Brandon Slade from Untapped LearningKey Executive Functioning Strategies for Prospective College StudentsThis episode of the Neurodiversity and Higher Education podcast Brandon Slade from Untapped Learning. Brandon is founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Untapped, and has many years of experience working directly with neurodivergent children and adults. Untapped Learning is committed to empowering students and unlocking their full potential. In this episode, Brandon shares key observations from his experience and offers many tips and strategies to help students who are currently enrolled in college or are soon to enter higher education.  There are lots of great resources listed in our show notes or grab a pencil and paper to jot them down! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or suggested topics and speakers!Resources Mentioned:Untapped Learning:https://www.untappedlearning.com Brandon Slade on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-slade-efAbout the Show:Neurodiversity and Higher Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581610651045  Neurodiversity and Higher Education Instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversityhigheredpodcast/   Neurodiversity and Higher Education Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MercyhurstNeurodiversity  About Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity:Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/neurodiversity  Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brad-mcgarry-center-for-neurodiversity-at-mercyhurst-university/   Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst website: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/aim 

Show Notes – Episode Four – Dr. Chelsea StinnettWhat are IPSE Programs and How Do Students Benefit from ThemThis episode of the Neurodiversity and Higher Education podcast features Dr. Chelsea Stinnett, who discusses the importance of inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) for students with intellectual disabilities. The conversation covers the definition of IPSE, the significance of inclusion, the transition to college, and the goals of these programs. Dr. Stinnett emphasizes the role of Think College in supporting these initiatives and provides insights into the daily life of students in IPSE programs. The episode concludes with tips for prospective students and their families on navigating the higher education landscape.  There are lots of great resources listed in our show notes or grab a pencil and paper to jot them down! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or suggested topics and speakers!Resources Mentioned:ThinkCollege Websitehttps://thinkcollege.net/ ThinkCollege Search Pagehttps://thinkcollege.net/college-search Chelsea Stinnett on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-vanhorn-stinnett-phd About the Show:Neurodiversity and Higher Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581610651045  Neurodiversity and Higher Education Instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversityhigheredpodcast/   Neurodiversity and Higher Education Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MercyhurstNeurodiversity  About Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity:Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/neurodiversity  Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brad-mcgarry-center-for-neurodiversity-at-mercyhurst-university/   Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst website: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/aim 

Show Notes – Episode Three – Seven Top Questions to Ask When Looking at Support ProgramsIn this episode of the Neurodiversity and Higher Education podcast, host Ryan Palm discusses the critical steps for neurodivergent students transitioning to college, focusing on evaluating support programs. He highlights seven essential questions families should ask when considering these programs, including areas of support, specialized housing, communication with families, and the importance of understanding program staff. The episode emphasizes the need for early engagement in the college transition process and encourages families to consider their student's specific support needs. There are lots of great resources listed in our show notes or grab a pencil and paper to jot them down! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or suggested topics and speakers!Resources Mentioned:Prior Episodes of Neurodiversity and Higher Education Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neurodiversity-and-higher-education/id1846224970 About the Show:Neurodiversity and Higher Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581610651045  Neurodiversity and Higher Education Instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversityhigheredpodcast/   Neurodiversity and Higher Education Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MercyhurstNeurodiversity  About Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity:Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/neurodiversity  Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brad-mcgarry-center-for-neurodiversity-at-mercyhurst-university/   Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst website: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/aim

Show Notes – Episode Two – Dr. Eric Endlich and Michelle McAnaneyWho can help me find a college that is a good fit?In this episode we’ll chat with a pair of true experts on helping students find a college that is a good match. We visit with Dr. Eric Endlich from Top College Consultants and Michelle McAnaney from The College Spy. Both are independent educational consultants (IECs) who work directly with families to understand the college search process, make recommendations for schools to consider, and help with the application process. Both of their websites offer many free or very low cost resources for families in addition to their more comprehensive packages. There are lots of great resources listed in our show notes or grab a pencil and paper to jot them down! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or suggested topics and speakers!Resources Mentioned:Top College Consultants - https://www.topcollegeconsultants.com/The College Spy - https://thecollegespy.com/Facebook group: Parents of College Bound Students with Learning Disabilities, ADHD and ASD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsofcollegeboundstudentswithld About the Show:Neurodiversity and Higher Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581610651045  Neurodiversity and Higher Education Instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversityhigheredpodcast/   Neurodiversity and Higher Education Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MercyhurstNeurodiversity  About Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity:Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/neurodiversity  Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brad-mcgarry-center-for-neurodiversity-at-mercyhurst-university/   Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst website: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/aim

Where do we even start? We’ll help answer that question in today’s episode!Our inaugural episode features Lee Burnette Williams, the executive director of the College Autism Network (CAN). We discuss the origin and mission of CAN, ways in which the support for autistic and neurodivergent college students has evolved, barriers or challenges students face, and many resources that can help students and families in their college search. There are lots of great resources listed in our show notes or grab a pencil and paper to jot them down! Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or suggested topics and speakers! Our host is Ryan Palm, executive director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity at Mercyhurst University. Resources Mentioned:College Autism Network (CAN) - https://collegeautismnetwork.org/ CAN Database - https://can.softr.app/ Inclusive Academia - https://www.youtube.com/@InclusiveAcademia   About the Show:Neurodiversity and Higher Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581610651045  Neurodiversity and Higher Education Instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/neurodiversityhigheredpodcast/   Neurodiversity and Higher Education Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MercyhurstNeurodiversity  About Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity:Mercyhurst University’s Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/neurodiversity  Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brad-mcgarry-center-for-neurodiversity-at-mercyhurst-university/   Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst website: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/aim