How can I help my high schooler get organized before going to college?

Wendy’s Answer:

Preparing a high schooler for college isn’t just about packing boxes — it’s about building systems they can actually maintain once they’re on their own.

For many teens (especially those with ADHD, Autism, Executive Functioning challenges, or low energy), organization struggles often show up in very specific ways:

• Forgetting to take medication

• Skipping meals or forgetting to eat

• Feeling overwhelmed by to-do lists

• Not knowing where to start with decluttering

• Running out of energy (“not enough spoons”)

This is where hands-on, done-with-you support makes a real difference.

Here’s how I help students prepare for college in a practical, supportive way:

1️⃣ Medication & Daily Routines

We work together to create simple, visual systems that fit the student’s natural habits — not rigid schedules. This may include:

• Pairing medication with an existing routine

• Using visual reminders instead of alarms alone

• Reducing steps so the routine feels doable, even on low-energy days

The goal is consistency without overwhelm.

2️⃣ Eating & Nutrition Support

For students who forget to eat or don’t feel hunger cues, we focus on:

• Easy-to-grab food systems

• Visual reminders and routine-based eating

• Organizing food so it’s visible and accessible

This supports independence while honoring limited energy and spoon theory.

3️⃣ Tracking To-Do’s & Deadlines

Instead of overwhelming planners or apps, we build one central system that tracks:

• School assignments

• Home responsibilities

• Chores

• Creative projects (such as writing groups or animation tasks)

We break tasks into smaller steps so the student knows what to do next, not just what needs to be done.

4️⃣ Decluttering the Bedroom (With College in Mind)

We don’t declutter randomly.

We declutter with intention by:

• Identifying what truly matters to the student

• Sorting items by function and use

• Practicing decision-making and prioritization

As we declutter, we visualize the dorm or apartment-style setup, so the transition to college feels familiar instead of stressful.

Whenever possible, we begin setting up the bedroom like a small apartment, helping the student practice:

• Where things live

• How shared spaces work

• How to maintain their environment

5️⃣ Laundry & Clothing Systems

If laundry gets done but doesn’t get put away, we adjust the system — not the person.

That may include:

• Simplifying drawers

• Reducing clothing volume

• Creating a “good enough” folding or placement system

The goal is progress, not perfection.

6️⃣ Energy & Spoon Management

We talk openly about spoon theory and help students:

• Identify where their energy goes

• Decide which tasks deserve priority

• Plan rest and recovery intentionally

This teaches self-awareness — a critical college life skill.

7️⃣ Cooking & Family Responsibilities

We organize cooking routines by:

• Assigning a consistent day

• Planning simple, repeatable meals

• Creating clear steps and expectations

This builds confidence and prepares the student for shared living environments.

8️⃣ Finishing Projects & Managing Ongoing Tasks

Unfinished project often need:

• Clear next steps

• Defined stopping points

• Support breaking the project into manageable phases

We work side by side so projects move forward without pressure or shame.

Final Thought

College readiness isn’t about being perfectly organized — it’s about having systems that support real life.

I work with students, not on them, helping them build confidence, independence, and skills they can carry into college and beyond.

💙 Want to learn how decluttering can support life skills development?
Visit my Life Skills Decluttering for Homeschoolers page to learn more.

✨ Have a question you’d like answered?
Submit it to the Ask Wendy column.

How do I explain what a Professional Organizer does with a child or teen with autism in a calm, reassuring way?

Wendy’s Answer:

When working with a child or teen with autism, it’s important to keep the explanation simple, predictable, and focused on support — not pressure or sudden change.

Here’s a calming way I often explain my role:

• “I’m coming to help you set up your room so it works better for you.”

• “We’ll go step by step, and you get to make choices.”

• “Nothing gets moved or changed without your permission.”

• “My job is to help make things easier, not harder.”

Before we begin any decluttering, I focus on connection first.

I ask what kind of music they like and invite them to put on their favorite song. Having familiar music playing helps create a safe, comfortable environment — and sometimes we even jam out together while we declutter.

During our session:

• I match their pace and energy

• We work step by step

• They stay involved in every decision

• Breaks are always okay

I also let them know:

• I move slowly

• I listen

• There are no surprises

When they understand that they are in control, anxiety often decreases and cooperation increases.

As a Professional Organizer who works alongside neurodivergent children and teens, my goal is to support independence, comfort, and confidence — not perfection.

Preparing a child or teen with autism for a professional organizer starts with reassurance, choice, trust — and meeting them exactly where they are, without rushing or pressure.

Parent Script (You Can Read This to Your Child or teen)

“Wendy is coming to help you make your room work better for you.
You get to decide what stays and what moves.
She’ll go slowly, you can listen to your favorite music, and take breaks whenever you need.
Nothing will change without your permission.”

💙 Want to learn how decluttering can support life skills development?
Visit my Life Skills Decluttering for Homeschoolers page to learn more.

✨ Have a question you’d like answered?
Submit it to the Ask Wendy column.

Which life skills are hardest for homeschool families to teach on their own?

Wendy’s Answer:

Some life skills are especially challenging for homeschool families to teach without support—not because parents aren’t capable, but because these skills require consistency, emotional regulation, and follow-through.

The skills families struggle with most often include:

• Decluttering and organizing personal spaces

• Starting tasks without avoidance

• Making decisions and letting go of items

• Following routines independently

• Managing overwhelm and frustration

These skills are closely tied to executive function, which can be particularly hard to build without outside support—especially for neurodivergent children or families navigating burnout.

Outsourcing life skills support can help remove emotional weight from the process and allow children to learn in a calmer, more neutral environment. For many families, that support becomes a turning point—not just for organization, but for confidence and independence.

💙 Want to learn how decluttering can support life skills development?
Visit my Life Skills Decluttering for Homeschoolers page to learn more.

✨ Have a question you’d like answered?
Submit it to the Ask Wendy column.

What does effective life skills support look like for homeschool families?

Wendy’s Answer:

Effective life skills support isn’t about creating a perfect plan or curriculum—it’s about helping children build skills in a way that feels manageable, supportive, and sustainable.

For homeschool families, this often means focusing on systems, not lessons. Things like organizing personal spaces, creating routines that work for the child, and learning how to start tasks without overwhelm are foundational life skills.

Support works best when it:

• Meets the child at their ability level

• Respects neurodivergence and learning styles

• Builds confidence through small, consistent progress

• Removes pressure from the parent-child relationship

Many families find that outside support helps reduce tension and allows life skills to be practiced without emotional overload. Having someone guide the process step by step can make skills stick in a way that’s hard to replicate on your own.

Life skills don’t need to be taught all at once—they grow through supported practice over time.

💙 Want to see how this kind of support works in real life?
You can learn more on my Life Skills Decluttering for Homeschoolers page.

✨ Have a question you’d like answered?
Submit it to the Ask Wendy column.

Are online courses enough to teach life skills to homeschoolers, or is hands-on support better?

Wendy’s Answer:

Online courses can be helpful for understanding what life skills are—but they often fall short when it comes to actually building them.

Many homeschool families tell me they’ve tried courses, checklists, or programs, yet their child still struggles to get started, stay focused, or follow through. That’s because life skills aren’t learned by watching or reading alone—they’re learned by doing, with support.

Here’s where online courses often fall short:

• Skills are taught in theory, not practiced in real-life spaces

• There’s little accountability to help children follow through

• Parents are still expected to implement and reinforce everything

• Children who struggle with executive function may freeze or avoid starting

Hands-on life skills support fills those gaps by allowing skills to be practiced:

• In real time, not just on a screen

• In real spaces, like bedrooms, school areas, and daily routines

• With real emotions involved, including frustration, overwhelm, and resistance

• With guidance that adapts to the child’s pace and needs

For many families, the missing piece isn’t more information—it’s accountability, guidance, and someone outside the family helping implement skills consistently. This is especially important for children who struggle with executive function, anxiety, or decision-making.

Life skills support works best when it meets the child where they are and removes pressure from the parent to be the sole teacher.

💙 Want to learn more about hands-on life skills support for homeschoolers?
You can explore my approach on the Life Skills Decluttering for Homeschoolers page.

✨ Have a question you’d like answered?
Submit it to the Ask Wendy column.

What support options are available to help homeschoolers build life skills?

Wendy’s Answer:

Many homeschool parents reach a point where they realize life skills are important—but teaching them on top of everything else feels overwhelming.

Life skills like organization, routines, decision-making, and follow-through aren’t always learned best through worksheets or lesson plans. They’re built through real-life practice with support, especially for children who struggle with executive function, motivation, or overwhelm.

Support options can include hands-on coaching, accountability support, body doubling, or guided decluttering and organization—particularly for families navigating executive function challenges.

Support can look different for every family. For some, it means bringing in help for the areas that cause the most stress—like decluttering, organizing personal spaces, or building daily routines—so those skills don’t fall entirely on the parent.

Outsourcing life skills support doesn’t mean stepping back from your child’s education. It means recognizing that having a neutral, supportive guide can help children build confidence and independence in ways that are often harder to do at home.

For many families, starting with decluttering and organization creates a foundation that supports every other life skill.

💙 Want to learn more about how I support homeschoolers through decluttering and life skills?
You can explore this approach on my Life Skills Decluttering for Homeschoolers page.

✨ Have a question of your own?
Submit it to the Ask Wendy column.