Mary Solanto is a professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the Zucker School of Medicine in New York, a Fullbright Scholar, an ADHD researcher, and the author of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Adult ADHD: Targeting Executive Dysfunction. I spoke with her recently about a challenging time for students with ADHD: the transition to college. On the one hand, like most teens, they are often excited about being independent. And on the other, ADHD impacts their executive function –planning and goal-setting skills required for staying healthy and managing college academics in college.
To start, can you say something about the risks of undermanaged ADHD in college?
Students with ADHD face a “perfect storm” of challenges transitioning into college. Although they may have functioned well in high school with the support and scaffolding of parents and teachers, all that falls away precipitously when they begin on campus.
Preparing students with ADHD for college requires careful planning and support. The strategies shared in the blog, such as developing executive function skills and seeking out campus resources, are essential for a successful transition. A big thank you to the author for addressing this important topic and offering valuable insights to help students thrive in their college journey.