Seth Perler, an executive function coach and educator, shares his inspiring story of struggling with executive function challenges and how he overcame them. If you’re parenting a child with executive function struggles, Seth’s journey provides valuable insights into understanding and supporting these unique kids. Discover how focusing on strengths can help them thrive.
Seth Perler's Late Blooming Journey with Executive Function Struggles
Seth Perler’s story is one that many parents and kids may find all too familiar: a bright child who struggles with executive function skills and faces constant struggles in school. He started hearing phrases like "Seth does not pay attention," "Doesn't try hard enough," and "Procrastinates" from a young age, and by the time he reached middle school, things began to unravel. This story of early struggle turned into a story of late blooming, and Seth’s struggles were a catalyst for him to help others facing similar challenges.
Seth’s path wasn’t a smooth one—he nearly failed high school, dropped out of college twice, and often felt like a failure. However, over time, he came to realize that it wasn’t that he was lazy or unintelligent. He had executive function challenges that he had yet to understand, and this was a key part of his learning curve.
What changed for Seth was when he accidentally found fulfillment through a job he took in Indianapolis. He started noticing how much joy and fulfillment he was finding in his work. That realization led him to dedicate his life to helping kids who struggled just like he had. It was his calling—helping students who felt misunderstood and families who couldn’t see a way out.
From Struggle to Strengths: A New Way Forward
Seth’s philosophy, which he now shares with families and students, is based on focusing not on deficits but on strengths. He believes that our kids will build careers around their interests, passions, and talents, not their weaknesses. By focusing on these areas, they can thrive and find meaningful work in the future.
For Seth, one of the most important parts of supporting neurodivergent children, including those with executive function challenges, is fostering their strengths. Yes, we need to address deficits, but we should not let them overshadow the unique talents and strengths of these kids.
Empowering Kids to Build a Future Based on Their Passions
Seth’s story emphasizes an important lesson for parents: the future success of your child doesn’t need to hinge on fixing every problem. Instead, it’s about encouraging them to lean into their interests and to build on those strengths. Many kids with executive function challenges, like Seth, will find careers in fields they are passionate about. By focusing on what excites and motivates them, we can help them avoid the common trap of spinning their wheels in unfulfilling careers.
Key Takeaways:
- Executive function challengesdon’t define a child’s potential.
- Focus on developing strengths, not just working on deficits.
- A child’s future success often depends on finding work that is meaningfuland interestingto them.
- Fostering passionsand personal interests can help guide children toward careers they’ll love.
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Listen to the twists and turns in his bright and quirky story in this week's vlog.