Show Notes:

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with Dr. Eric Endlich, founder of Top College Consultants, to explore college readiness and inclusion for neurodivergent students. From practical advice on navigating college admissions to insights on empathy and identity-first language, Dr. Endlich shares decades of lived and professional experience. They discuss how starting early can ease transitions, where to find inclusive campuses, and how parents can shift from advocates to allies. Whether you're a parent, educator, or student, this conversation is packed with strategies to make higher education more inclusive and empowering for everyone.

Key Takeaways:

Start Early – Begin preparing for college in 9th or 10th grade to build confidence and independence.

Know the System – College accommodations differ from K–12; students must self-advocate.

Inclusive Colleges – Inclusive programs vary widely—small private colleges often lead, but great options exist everywhere.

Empathy Matters – Being inclusive means being curious, asking questions, and avoiding assumptions.

Support Beyond School – State and federal programs can help fund support services—explore all options early.

About the Guest(s):

Dr. Eric Endlich:

Dr. Endlich is dedicated to helping students worldwide successfully apply and transition to college and graduate school. As a clinical psychologist as well an educational consultant, he is especially passionate about guiding students with learning differences, emotional challenges or other disabilities.

He is a Professional Member and Board Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and has served on their Learning Differences/Neurodiversity and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Committees. In 2020, IECA honored Dr. Endlich with the “Making A Difference” Award for his contributions such as a database of neurodiversity-friendly colleges. (Learn more about this honor here.) He has also served on advisory boards for the UCLA Tarjan Center, College Autism Network and Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (where he helped found the Neurodiverse Couples Institute).

A professional writer and editor, he is a longtime advisory board member and contributor for Personal Best/Oakstone Publishing. In 2021, Exceptional Needs Today Magazine honored Dr. Endlich as a Top Contributor for his article, “7 Things Students With Disabilities Should Do When Starting College.”

He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in English from UC Berkeley, where he was awarded a Regents Scholarship (highest honor) as well as the President’s Undergraduate Fellowship for original research. He went on to earn graduate degrees in psychology from NYU and BU, and a certificate in independent educational consulting from UC Irvine.

Dr. Endlich has taught at Tufts University, Suffolk University, Boston College and UMass Boston; he currently co-teaches the “Working with Students with Learning Differences” course through the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education with Dr. Marci Schwartz. Dr. Endlich has also served as a Primary Researcher on a U.S. Dept. of Education-funded project to develop college readiness software for autistic high school students, an advisory board member on a National Science Foundation-funded program to improve mentorship for STEM-focused autistic students and a Co-Investigator on an Institute of Education Sciences-funded study to improve student-teacher relationships for autistic children.

Dr. Eric's definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is creating an environment that is welcoming and accessible to everyone regardless of the various kinds of differences they may have.

Connect with Dr. Eric:

Website: https://www.topcollegeconsultants.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TopCollegeConsultants/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/topcollegeconsultants/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/topcollegeconsultants/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest: 

No

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 46

No - 68

☕ Buy me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad

Subscribe to Podcast Newsletter: https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates

Want to create videos like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6041699795730432

Want to be a guest on Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad? Send Aaron DeVries a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad