Blog - Seth Perler

TILT Parenting Podcast with Debbie Reber – Executive Function

Recently Debbie Reber interviewed me about Executive Function on her podcast, TILT Parenting. This is my FAVORITE parenting podcast and I definitely recommend subscribing! Check out the new podcast here. Freebie: Here's the free PDF assessment mentioned in the show: Executive Function Assessment. This assessment explores the most important aspects of your child's executive function in an easy to understand way. It will give you a ton of clarity regarding your child's executive function and … [Read more...]

HOW to coach YOUR child (video)

In this video, I explain exactly how I did one of my recent Educational Coaching calls (aka Executive Function Coaching). I describe the process so you can apply it to your child if you're a parent, or so you can apply it to students if you're a teacher. 🎦 YouTube: Visit my official YouTube channel here. Subscribe, like & comment to support my work. 👉 Share: To support me, please *CLICK* at the bottom to share on FB or Pinterest. ✏️ EF101: Here’s my jumpstart course for … [Read more...]

How to do SCHOOL WORK over BREAK

The semester is ALMOST over! Many students INTEND to get work done over Thanksgiving break because they are trying to get caught up on missing and incomplete assignments. This is a good idea, especially since the last couple weeks are often filled with end of the semester exams that need to be studied for, long papers that need to be written or big projects that must be completed. Unfortunately for kids who procrastinate a lot, Thanksgiving break goes by in the blink of an eye and very … [Read more...]

STUDENTS: Do THIS to save your semester (video)

It's crunch time again and you want to pass all your classes. Here's how: Be honest with yourself and others. Own it. Excuses. Print your grades (the pages WITH the details) Email your teachers with honesty and integrity Go to office hours Overhaul your materials Update your planner Make a SANE master plan Get accountability Start (sss, timers, plans) Start again Umm, now start again Repeat each weekend Be proactive with finals, projects, readings and … [Read more...]

“He threw a fit this morning about the school day being so long”

I recently received the following note: "My 8 year old is going through the dip. He threw a fit this morning about the school day being so long. He did stuff with tears and a snail’s pace as he finished getting ready for school which most likely made him late. While this doesn’t necessarily affect his grades, I know that it’s going to be a season of dragging him to school until Christmas break. What can I do to help his attitude toward the length of the school day improve? It takes … [Read more...]

My daughter is DROWNING in school

Please CLICK above to share. I recently received this email: My 11-year old daughter is drowning in 6th grade. She's a very smart kid, but too many moving parts. I'm trying to figure out how to get the school on board with helping her... it's becoming a full time job for me. In this in-depth video, I describe how the "Dip" pattern happens, how and why student resistance increases, how more overwhelm affects kids, and how making schoolwork more "concrete" helps. I also discuss 2 types of … [Read more...]

Students and the Hard Work of Change

Helping struggling students change is never quick & easy. Often, the efforts of parents and teachers are ineffective in terms of creating real change. You see, empowering a child to change requires a great deal of nuance, time and energy. This video breaks down some of the core elements I use to help my students make the changes they need to become successful in school. If this video helped you, please *click* below to share … [Read more...]

A Positive Teacher Response

Howdy! Today I thought I'd share a positive email correspondence with you that I think you'll find valuable. This is from a family that I've worked with and known well for a few years now. You see, a lot of what I do is help families decode how to communicate with the school so they can help their child. I always say that advocacy letters are always about one thing: Clarity. You're always seeking clarity regarding the situation. I recommend simple emails, short, to the point, and assume that … [Read more...]

“He loses most worksheets, project rubrics, classwork, etc!”

A mom writes about her son: He's 13, in 8th grade. He loses most worksheets, project rubrics, classwork, etc! He has a binder with sections for each class, some things make it in, and many others don't. When they do make it home, I make copies of important stuff that he needs for fear of them being lost. He doesn't know where the lost things go, help! He is missing an important worksheet due tomorrow and words/definitions they did in class that he needs to study for a test. How do we … [Read more...]

4 Ways to support your child at the beginning of school

Please SHARE below if this helped you! Thanks - Seth … [Read more...]

[Vid for students] Don’t use the school planner, use this instead

Get a monthly, academic year, with lines, stapled, minimize it, label it clearly with your name! Love my work and want to give? Click here! To support me, please CLICK at the bottom to share. Click here to visit my official YouTube Channel & subscribe if you want! Thank you -Seth Video transcript: Good morning, it's me Seth with SethPerler.com and in this video, I'm going to tell you about planners. I know a lot of you hate planners. This video is for high … [Read more...]

Teachers: Feeling alone? (Video)

Please CLICK above to share. Here's another vlog for teachers, based on an email I received form a High School Special Education Teacher named Cynthia. Sometimes it's isolating when you're an outside-the-box teacher with alternative views. It can feel unsupportive. Sometimes it's lonely when you want to use non-traditional or unconventional methods of teaching and reaching kids. This video explores these issues and offers insights, including how to do a temp check with students to … [Read more...]

Teachers: What is EMOTIONAL REGULATION and why should you care?

Please CLICK above to share. In this video, I discuss: What Emotional Regulation is How "safety" is a key message The stress kids deal with nowadays What teachers are expected to do How to help these kids What's going on with the brain and nervous system Fight, flight, freeze, faint The amygdala Love my work and want to give? Click here! To support me, please CLICK at the bottom to share. Click here to visit my official YouTube Channel & subscribe … [Read more...]

B2S The Truth About School Supplies Lists

Please CLICK above to share. It's that time of year again, back to school shopping. K-College, your child needs supplies. But what do they really need to buy? What goes to waste and what's most beneficial? Sometimes it's best to take supply lists with a grain of salt in favor of getting items that are best aligned with your child's learning needs. This video will help you know what to buy, what not to buy, and how to choose. Love my work and want to give? Click here! To … [Read more...]

Is my Child Twice Exceptional or 2e? [The Ultimate Guide]

Before we begin On a personal note, I absolutely love working with 2e, twice-exceptional kids. I often say, "the more complex the kid, the better", because 2e kids are truly the most interesting people I know. They tend to be intellectually deep, incredibly creative, emotionally intense, quirky, and when they get their educational needs met, they do really cool things as adults. Many of the people who "change the world" were twice-exceptional kids. They're just super cool people, and too many of … [Read more...]

“Should my child have routines this summer?”

Yep. Here's the deal: If you're reading my blog, your child struggles to navigate school. His or her executive function has not yet developed the skills necessary to manage the overwhelming number of tasks that schools require in order to be "successful" academically. So keeping them in practice with routines will help in the long run. In other words, your child struggles with things like managing homework, details, planning, time management, priorities, procrastination, organization, … [Read more...]

How to Find an Executive Function or ADHD Coach

Click here to watch a more recent video on this topic. I often get emails like the following, asking for how to find a coach: I need an Executive Skills Coach for my child who is resistant to any help, but starting to realize that she needs it as she is about to start high school... Any recs would be much appreciated. Keep up the good work. Topics In this in-depth video I go over the following topics: How to help a child who is resistant How to pick the right coach Ways to … [Read more...]

My #1 Study Tip, and It’s Actually Fun

The problem Most of the struggling students I work with come to me with no realistic idea of how to “study”. They simply don’t spend enough time or energy on studying and the quality/type of studying is ineffective. For example, many of these kids think that studying means rereading notes a bunch of times, but this is usually unengaging, inefficient and unproductive. One solution Literally one of the very best ways to learn is to teach what you're trying to master. Since it’s time for … [Read more...]

What to ask your child this Sunday

If your child is struggling to finish the semester, here's a simple and straightforward video for you. It's based on how I am helping my clients right now, so it works. How it works: It doesn't matter if your child in in 5th grade or college, just watch the video, print this and use what feels right. Tell your child that you're going to have a heart to heart about school. Tell them what time you will have it. The point is to give them time to mentally prepare, so maybe something … [Read more...]

High schooler gives up [includes email template to send teachers]

Here's a real email one of my students sent his mom last week: Ok. I have given it everything and i have nothing I can do. My 100% just isn't good enough to pass. It is too late to do anything. There goes that trip. I'm done. There are so many kids with EF challenges who are going through similar overwhelm right now. Of course there are things he can do. Of course it's not too late. But it's important to deeply understand that this is how he feels. He is emotionally overwhelmed. Here's a … [Read more...]

[Podcast] 5 Action Steps to Help your ADHD Child

I was recently interviewed on Jennie Friedman's podcast, See in ADHD. In addition to producing a fantastic podcast, Jennie is an ADHD coach out of Long Island, NY who runs workshops and speaks. In this podcast I go over 5 specific action steps to take regarding how to best help your ADHD child with their school. Listen to the podcast on Jennie's site here. (44 min) There is also a great little bonus episode 243 that we did on decluttering. (6 min) You can also find it on the iTunes link … [Read more...]

[Podcast] 7 Systems Outside-the-box Learners Desperately Need

Background I created this article and PDF - Student Systems Assessment for teachers and parents, to accompany the podcast interview of me by Jennifer Gonzalez. We dove deep into some great tips that will help you help your struggling students. Jennifer’s education podcast is called The Cult of Pedagogy and it’s perfect for any teacher or parent who cares about diving deeper into the issues that face education. Check out her podcast, subscribe and give it a review. You’ll love it. This … [Read more...]

7 Ways to help your child start the NEW YEAR off right in school

For most students, second semester starts back up in the first week of January. Check out the ideas below and use what works for you. Let me know how it goes. Happy 2017, Seth Minimize stuff - I usually recommend to my families that they do a serious downsizing of "stuff" twice a year (winter and summer). Pick a weekend in January and use it to get rid of all of the excess "stuff" you have. For example, you and your child might go through all clothes, keeping only the … [Read more...]

Homework over break!?

Uh-oh! It's already that time of year again, Thanksgiving break is upon us. At this point in the semester, many of the students I work with struggle with a very definite and predictable pattern: Swimming upstream - These kids are in "swimming upstream" mode. They are "behind" and are often getting "extensions" on late work. This is never good and only adds to the overwhelm and confusion regarding where to even begin. Naturally, they avoid making any real traction, full of … [Read more...]

Dad says, “He has continuously asked me for help with concentration”

I received this email today from a friend, the father of a senior in high school: "My son is having a hard time focusing when in class and doing homework. He says he's taking the breaks and even getting up and walking around during class to try and get focused. He has been keeping a list of things to do every day. He's getting good grades and not in any trouble but he has continuously asked me for help with concentration. He is now asking about what doctors do to help ADD. Any suggestions?" I … [Read more...]

12 Big Mistakes Students Make in September

It's early in the school year, the buzz of the first couple weeks has worn off, and habits begin to set in. Some are good, some not so good. The habits a student practices in September set the tone for the rest of the semester (and often the rest of the school year). The Pattern Unfortunately many students follow this pattern: Strong out of the gates, even excited about school, teachers, friends. Positive attitude, desire to do well. Skate. Things go along "fine" for a few weeks, no … [Read more...]

How Students Build Effective Systems (printable pdf)

The students I work with are notoriously "bad" with systems, which has a lot to do with why they struggle so much. Actually that's not exactly true, because when a system matters to the student, or when they've had enough practice with implementation, they can be great with systems. For example, I have one student who is obsessed with the game Magic the Gathering. He has extensive systems to manage how he plays this complex game. Anyhow, the point is, when it comes to systems for managing … [Read more...]

“What do you do if your child’s school wants the parent to stay out of it?”

A parent sent me this... "What do you do if your child's school wants the parent to stay out of it? I find myself trying really hard to stay out of it, and let my child contact the teacher directly. I will help him remember to do so, and help him formulate an email, but I've found push back if I contact the teacher for clarification." This is SO frustrating and I see it all too often. Don't stay out of it! That teacher does not get it. You care about your kid, so do anything you have to in … [Read more...]

PEP – 3 Things you MUST keep an eye on in the final weeks of school

PEP Papers. Exams. Projects. Unfortunately, many students fail classes at the very last minute. And, unfortunately, parents often don't find out until a week or so after summer break begins, when grades go out. Parents are often completely unaware of upcoming (and heavily weighted) Papers, Exams and Projects. Heck, many students are completely unaware (or avoiding the stress of remembering). You need clarity. Period. What can you do? Check grades daily from now until the end of school. … [Read more...]

One BIG Secret to Helping Kids Grow

We often try in vain to "help" our kids by... Lecturing Logic Reason Being rational "Talking some sense into them" But once they feel "threatened", it's not getting through. It's so easy for us, as adults, to see what "needs to be done". We can see so clearly that if they just do x, y and z, that they would make things so much easier on themselves. We just don't understand why they don't take these simple actions and it's infuriating. So what works? Believe it or not, one … [Read more...]

Happy Mother’s Day Quotes

Here's some gratitude for all the mom's out there. I want to send a sincere thanks to you for being an awesome mom, for everything you do behind the scenes, for your time, effort, energy, and love. Here are some of my favorite mom quotes... "They are not kidding when they say that mothers are strong women. We need to be strong in more ways than our children will ever know." — M.B. Antevasin "Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all." … [Read more...]

Parents – A script for what to ask your child to make sure they are on track for the end of the semester

This semester is going to end in the blink of an eye, and the stakes are high. Many kids who struggle with executive function are at risk of failing classes, which sets in motion a string of consequences. So what can you do? Do this sometime today: Do not lecture, argue, yell, or use logic to convince your child to "get it together" when they are in a defensive or otherwise emotional state. It will fall upon deaf ears and cause more frustration and shame. Have a heart to heart "strategy … [Read more...]

Teaching Ain’t Rocket Science (Part 1)

Teaching is an art. But it's an absolutely tremendous and an astonishingly beautiful art. You see, an artist has spent years committed to developing their extraordinary talents and skills. The great teacher is secretly driven by a simple love of community and belief in humanity. She completely pours her heart into the craft. But most people don't notice this nuance, and that's ok. What's not ok is that tragically, the art of teaching has been bastardized, which has the effect of … [Read more...]

How to bring up grades in a crunch

Note: The vid is 17 minutes long, but trust me, it'll save you so much time and energy, it's absolutely worth it. And... it's pretty good! Download and Print PDF here: Daily habit questions cheat sheet By Seth Perler It's the end of the semester again... It's the end of the semester again, and the predictable pattern for many outside-the-box students rears it's ugly head again. It goes like this... Suddenly, someone, usually a parent, notices that grades have plummeted (even though … [Read more...]

“Whatever!”

Parents, sometimes kids use this word with biting tone. But what exactly does "whatever" mean? What is your child really saying? Often, it's something like this: "Look, I don't know exactly how to say this, but honestly, I don't like what you're saying! I actually feel a bit threatened right now. You are threatening me getting something I want, getting my way, and I don't like it. You see, the amygdala in my brain just got a message that there was a threat to my safety, and although … [Read more...]

Biography of a Struggling Student: My Story

This story may be more than you need to know, but I like to be transparent. I hope this is helpful. Messages As you know, I'm Seth, and you probably won't be surprised to learn that I was the struggling student that I work to help nowadays. Yep, I was "that kid." Kindergarten was fine, but here are some rave reviews quoted directly from my 1st-grade report cards: "Slow worker. Very easily distracted. Loves school. Wants to be helpful. Very short attention span and never really gets into his … [Read more...]

3 Reasons I Hate Testing… And A Lil’ Thank You To The Teachers Who Have To Put Up With It

Teachers don't have a choice (or a voice, for that matter) when it comes to standardized tests - they must proctor these tests or there will be serious consequences. But what's wrong with the tests anyhow? Why are more and more and more people opting out? Well, I have countless problems with testing, but this video scratches the surface by looking at 3: The people who are profiting and benefitting (nope, it's not kids) How the testocracy pressures teachers How testing negatively … [Read more...]

PARENTS, Are Apps For Students Really Worth It?

Please CLICK above to share. Parents, I went on a bit of a rant here, but it ends well! Enjoy. Below is the text from the email that inspired this video... I've reached a peak frustration level with my 2e student. I have attended many parent seminars / conferences / talks / meetings (you get the picture) and after attending yet another last night and leaving frustrated, I thought I'd pose a question: If ALL the experts agree that kids should have limited screen time (especially kids … [Read more...]

Students: Are You Going Through “The Dip” Again? [Video]

"The Dip" is a completely predictable pattern for many outside-the-box students. Here's how it goes: The semester starts strong. Organized, optimistic, ready. Classes seem to go well for a couple of weeks. A couple of things go wrong, but no cause for alarm. Maybe you forgot to study for a couple of quizzes, forgot to do some reading, forgot to do a couple of assignments. BAM! 6-8 weeks into the semester, everything suddenly falls a-p-a-r-t. Perhaps teachers just updated a bunch of … [Read more...]

An Excellent Way To Evaluate Curriculum

Content, Process, and Product Parents and teachers, this video breaks down three extremely helpful concepts used to build curriculum - “Content, Process, and Product”. This will give you a useful filter to can use as you contemplate how well the curriculum meets the needs of your child. Content - What we learn Usually the curriculum. Process - How we learn something One model: AVK Auditory Visual Kinesthetic (This is just scratching the surface, there are many more ways … [Read more...]

Frustrations

1/3 - What frustrates your kids most about YOU? 2/3 - What frustrates your kids most about SCHOOL? 3/3 - What frustrates your kids most about THEMSELVES? Last week I asked my students what frustrated them most about: Parents School Themselves The responses were really interesting and I made 3 short videos with some insights for you. Please *click* to SHARE below. Thanks! … [Read more...]

“He’s not motivated by much of anything”

Here is a set of 3 videos based upon the following email I received from a reader: Hello Seth, I have an 11-year old son in 6th grade, a 2E-type boy (in a "GT" program since 3rd grade and also on a 504), who is not motivated by much of anything. When he wants to, he can do great work, but only when he wants. And, it's never clear what motivates this uptick in more attention to his work. Sometimes, it's the subject matter, as he definitely has his passions. He's very much an out-of-the-box … [Read more...]

The “Organizationally Challenged” [Video 2/3]

Please CLICK above to share. Here's part 2/3. In part 1, I mentioned the following: I recently received this email: My youngest (age 11) is challenged by organization. We’re working together to figure out systems and tools that help align her success in this area.” Well, here in part 2 I will break down how and why you need to have labeled "homes" for everything. Enjoy, and please share. The Homes 7-day Challenge: Try this and let me know how it goes: List the categories of … [Read more...]

The “Organizationally Challenged” [Video 3/3, The Overhaul]

Please CLICK above to share. Here's part 3/3. In part 1, I mentioned the following: I recently received this email: My youngest (age 11) is challenged by organization. We’re working together to figure out systems and tools that help align her success in this area. In part 2 I broke down how and why you need to have labeled "homes" for everything. Here, in part 3, I discuss the difference between "maintainers" and "overhaulers" and tell you how to do regular overhauls. Enjoy, and … [Read more...]

The “Organizationally Challenged” [Video 1/3]

Please CLICK above to share. The "Organizationally Challenged," Video 1 of 3 I recently received this email: My youngest (age 11) is challenged by organization. We’re working together to figure out systems and tools that help align her success in this area. Well, all the students I work with are "organizationally challenged." But what can we do about it? Here is the first in a 3 part mini-series about what works. 30-Day Challenge: Try this and let me know how it goes: … [Read more...]

The Email You Should Definitely Send Your Teachers This Week

The end of the semester is always a time to be cautious, because, as far as grades are concerned, it's a make-it-or-break-it time for many right brained students. In my years of working with these students, I've noticed a very predictable pattern throughout the semester: Student starts the semester off strong, they are often excited for the fresh start. A few weeks in, things seem to be going "fine," but you may have a sense that something is off. "The Dip" happens 6-8 weeks into … [Read more...]

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