Exceptional Path

Exceptional Path Academic & Executive Function Coaching for ADHD, 2E and outside the box students and adults. Exceptionalpath.com

Offers tutoring services for all subjects
(Elementary, Middle School, High School and College level)

Reach out for a FREE consultation. CEO and founder, Chris Fugelsang, started The Exceptional Path in hope of helping and assisting students and other individuals who have a tough time navigating aspects of both their academic and social lives. With consistency and determination as the driving forces for this enterprise, Chris spent thousands of hours studying, researching and testing different key approach that caters to a student's individual needs.

The weekend is almost here and you’ve made it through another busy week of juggling appointments, homework battles, and ...
09/25/2025

The weekend is almost here and you’ve made it through another busy week of juggling appointments, homework battles, and all the unexpected curveballs.

Maybe things didn’t go perfectly, and that’s okay.

Remember: your love and patience matter more than a spotless house or a perfectly completed to-do list.

This weekend, give yourself permission to slow down, breathe, and recharge. Celebrate the little wins, theirs and yours.

You’re doing hard work every single day. You’ve got this.

If your kid has trouble with focus, follow-through, or organization, you’ve probably seen it already:1. Assignments miss...
09/25/2025

If your kid has trouble with focus, follow-through, or organization, you’ve probably seen it already:

1. Assignments missing
2. Routines breaking down
3. The gap between what they can do and what they actually do is getting louder

And now the questions kick in:

“Shouldn’t they be more independent?”
“What happens in high school?”
“Is this my fault?”

Let’s get clear.

This isn’t a crisis. It’s a signal.

Middle school tests executive function. It doesn’t teach it.

If things are falling apart, that’s not failure. That’s feedback.

It’s not about effort. It’s about systems.

The breakdowns aren’t about motivation, they’re about structure.

Stop asking, “How do I make them do it?”
Start asking, “What’s the barrier, and how do I lower it without taking over?”

Don’t fix everything. Watch what repeats.

Middle school exposes friction points, starting, switching, finishing, following through.

Don’t overreact. Just observe. That’s how strategy gets built.

Independence isn’t a switch. It’s a build.
Pressure doesn’t teach self-management.
Practice does. Reps do. Co-regulation does.
Forget perfect. Build what works.
Focus on patterns, not moments
Shrink tasks so they can own them
Build one system at a time
Lead with calm, not control
Prioritize consistency over urgency

Your kid doesn’t need fixing.
They need better scaffolding.

And you don’t need to do more, you need to do differently.

Keep your eyes on what matters:

Function > appearance.
Progress > performance.
Stability > speed.

You’re not behind.
You’re doing the work that actually counts.

- From a coach who works in reality, not theory.

Visit Exceptionalpath.com to learn more.

When it comes to supporting outside-the-box learners, you're not just looking for help, you're looking for the right hel...
09/24/2025

When it comes to supporting outside-the-box learners, you're not just looking for help, you're looking for the right help.

I specialize in coaching students and individuals with ADHD, executive function challenges, and 2E profiles, helping them build real-world tools, confidence, and systems that schools often overlook. This isn’t just what I do, it’s what I do best.

Let’s talk.

Schedule a free discovery call to see if coaching is the right fit for your child, no pressure, just a real conversation about what they need and how I can help.

Visit: Exceptionalpath.com to learn more.

Email: Theexceptionalpath@gmail.com for any inquiries.

Here’s what I tell the parents and it's usually the moment everything starts to shift:Your ADHD kid doesn’t need a bette...
09/23/2025

Here’s what I tell the parents and it's usually the moment everything starts to shift:

Your ADHD kid doesn’t need a better routine. They need a better reason.

Let that sink in.

If your child’s brain is driven by interest, urgency, or novelty (hello, dopamine), but your plan is built on discipline, consistency, and long-term goals…

…it’s never going to work. Not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because the system was never built for their brain.

So here’s the real shift, and it’s big:

STOP Trying to Make Them “Do Homework”
START Helping Them Build Momentum
Homework isn’t the goal.
Momentum is.
Dopamine is.
A feeling of progress is.

The real work is helping them experience what it feels like to be successful, even in tiny, tiny wins.

Here’s what that actually looks like in practice:

Let them "win" first.

Start with a task they can absolutely crush in 3 minutes or less. Doesn’t matter if it’s related. The goal is: "I can do something hard." That’s dopamine. That’s momentum.

Make boredom the enemy, not them.
If the task is boring, their brain will fight it like a threat. It’s not attitude, it’s biology. Inject novelty: a timer, a challenge, a race, a weird voice, a different room. Anything that makes the task spark.

Co-regulate before you educate.
If your kid is dysregulated, NOTHING productive is happening. Get calm first. Homework comes after. Not negotiable.

Get out of the “punish and push” loop.
Most parents are stuck in a cycle of: “You didn’t do it → I’ll take something away → You’re more stressed → You do it less.”
That’s not behavior management. That’s a trap.

Let them have a say, even in one small thing.
ADHD brains crave autonomy. Let them choose the order, the pen, the playlist. Doesn’t matter what, just give them some control.

And Here’s What I Tell Every Parent:
You’re not trying to raise a compliant robot who gets homework done on time.
You’re raising a kid who knows how their brain works, and who has the tools to work with it, not against it.

Homework is just one place to build that skill.

And if no one’s ever taught you how to do that, you’re not behind. You’re just getting started.

Why can't he or she just...? Ever caught yourself thinking that?Why can’t he just pack his bag?Why can’t she just finish...
09/22/2025

Why can't he or she just...?
Ever caught yourself thinking that?
Why can’t he just pack his bag?
Why can’t she just finish her homework?
Why can’t they just listen the first time?

Here’s the truth most parents aren’t told:
When your child has ADHD, you're not dealing with a won’t, you’re dealing with a can’t… yet.
Executive function is the behind-the-scenes brainwork that helps us plan, focus, remember, manage emotions, and shift gears. For kids with ADHD, that system is like a browser with 25 tabs open, and a few of them are frozen.

Your child isn't lazy.
They’re overwhelmed.
They’re not avoiding, they’re stuck.

And here’s what’s incredible: with the right tools, support, and understanding, they learn. They grow.
So do we.

This Monday, give yourself permission to trade frustration for curiosity.
What skill is missing here?
What support might help?
What if it’s not defiance, but a brain under construction?

You're not a bad parent. Your child isn't broken.
You’re both just on a different roadmap, and I promise, there are signs pointing the way.

Let’s follow them together.

No, you’re not crazy.Yes, it’s exhausting to explain things 17 times.No, it’s not your fault they forgot again.Yes, it’s...
09/19/2025

No, you’re not crazy.
Yes, it’s exhausting to explain things 17 times.
No, it’s not your fault they forgot again.
Yes, it’s okay to feel like you’re doing everything.
And no, you don’t need to “just be more consistent.”
You’re already carrying more than most people can see.
That’s not weakness. That’s power with a quiet face.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

If your child is both gifted and struggles with focus, meltdowns, or emotional intensity, here’s something most experts ...
09/18/2025

If your child is both gifted and struggles with focus, meltdowns, or emotional intensity, here’s something most experts don’t say clearly enough:

Focus is not the starting point. Regulation is.

Trying to get a child to “sit still and pay attention” when their nervous system is already overwhelmed is like asking someone to solve a math problem in a fire drill.

Here’s what helps instead:

1. Prevention happens before the worksheet opens.
Start with the state of the nervous system, not the school plan. If your child is already dysregulated when the day starts, nothing will land.

Ask: “Where are we starting from today? Calm? Tired? Wound-up? Holding it together?”

Build from that.

2. Transition time is where the meltdown lives.
It’s usually not the task—it’s the switching from one state to another. From free play to math. From snack to writing. That’s the hard part.

Create short rituals around transitions:

One minute of movement
A specific sound or song
A verbal cue that’s always the same: “We’re shifting now.”

This gives their brain a bridge instead of a cliff.

3. Get curious, not corrective.
Instead of saying, “You need to focus,” try:
“What’s pulling your attention right now?”
“What would help you get started?”
“Do you want me nearby or quiet?”
2e kids often have intense inner worlds. When they feel seen, they settle.
4. Don’t treat emotions like interruptions.
If a meltdown shows up, it’s not a detour, it is the work.

The skill isn’t just finishing the task.
The skill is learning how to pause, regroup, and return.

That’s executive function in action.

5. Regulation is not calm, it’s connection.
You don’t need to be a therapist. You just need to stay present.
Not fixing, not rushing, not shutting it down.

Just holding the space while they come back to center.

If you’re parenting a child who’s deeply bright and deeply sensitive, the rules are different. But that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It just means your approach needs to match how they’re wired, not how the world expects them to perform.

Keep showing up with curiosity and flexibility.
That’s what creates real growth.

But they’re stuck in a world that demands neurotypical performance from a neurodivergent brain, and then blames them (or...
09/17/2025

But they’re stuck in a world that demands neurotypical performance from a neurodivergent brain, and then blames them (or you) when that fails.

So when we nag, we’re not just reminding...
We’re unintentionally reinforcing a message they already hear all day:

“You’re not doing enough.”

What if, instead of asking “Why didn’t you do it?”, we asked:

🔁 What friction is in their way?

Not laziness. Friction. That invisible drag created by working memory glitches, time blindness, or anxiety loops.

💡 What tools would work for their brain, not ours?
Because planners and timers don't work if they're built for someone else's executive function.

🤝 What if our role isn’t to manage them, but to design WITH them?

Less manager. More systems designer. More architect of support.

This isn’t about less involvement.

It’s about better involvement, where your child feels respected, equipped, and not constantly “behind.”

🚫 Stop managing compliance.
✅ Start engineering environments.

That’s how we stop the nagging cycle, and start building real independence.

Because your kid isn’t broken.
The tools they’ve been given are.

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!Megan Prendergast, Jen Denzel, Tricia Burg, June Louise Ho...
09/16/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Megan Prendergast, Jen Denzel, Tricia Burg, June Louise Holter Pettersen

For every parent walking alongside a teen who thinks differently, this is your reminder: the journey doesn’t have to loo...
09/16/2025

For every parent walking alongside a teen who thinks differently, this is your reminder: the journey doesn’t have to look traditional to be meaningful.

Progress isn’t always linear. But it’s happening. 💬

For the parents navigating ADHD, executive function, or 2e challenges:This isn’t about falling behind. It’s about a diff...
09/15/2025

For the parents navigating ADHD, executive function, or 2e challenges:

This isn’t about falling behind. It’s about a different kind of becoming.

"You’re not just raising a student, you’re guiding a storm of brilliance learning how to steer itself."

It’s hard. It’s real. But you’re not alone.

If you’re tired, that makes sense.If you need space, that’s fair.If the plan is survival mode this weekend, that’s allow...
09/12/2025

If you’re tired, that makes sense.
If you need space, that’s fair.
If the plan is survival mode this weekend, that’s allowed.

Parenting a kid with ADHD, executive function challenges, or twice-exceptionality isn’t just hard work, it’s constant work. Even when things look calm from the outside, your mind is running through what needs managing next.

You don’t need to be “on” all weekend.
You don’t need to turn downtime into a learning opportunity.
You don’t need to justify whatever choices make your home a little more livable right now.

Take the time you need. Let go of the rest.

That’s it.

Address

New York, NY
11692

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 3pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm

Website

http://linktr.ee/exceptionalpath

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