Amy Bryant recently presented at the 2026 Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) Annual Conference in Chicago, bringing her session, “Supporting LD/ND Student-Athletes Through the College Search Process,” to another national audience of educational consultants. The presentation built on the work she previously shared alongside Jen Hambleton of College Consulting Collaborative at the IECA Annual Conference, highlighting the unique intersection of learning differences, neurodiversity, athletics, and college recruiting.
Drawing from her background as a longtime college coach and student-athlete advisor, Amy explored how ADHD, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, giftedness/twice-exceptional learners, and slow processing speed can influence the recruiting journey for student-athletes. She shared practical strategies for helping families identify colleges that provide the right balance of athletic opportunity, academic support, and social fit, while encouraging students to develop the self-advocacy skills they’ll need to thrive in college.
A central message of the session was that with the right support systems in place, athletics can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, independence, and long-term success throughout the college experience.
