Progress Isn’t Always Measured in Big Steps

 When we first started this journey—through evaluations, through meetings, through setting up the IEP—we knew there wasn’t going to be a magic solution.

But if I’m honest, part of me hoped for it anyway.


As both an educator and a parent, I understood that progress in special education is often slow and layered. But knowing it in your head and feeling it in your heart are two very different things.


Once our son started in the 4-year-old preschool program with special education support, we waited—and watched.


And slowly, we began to see the wins.


He started identifying letters and numbers more consistently.

He could name shapes without needing as much prompting.

He even began to write his name—first with shaky, tentative letters, but still, there it was. His name. In his own hand.

These weren’t huge leaps. They weren’t instant transformations.

But they were everything.

We knew it would take time.

We knew there was no magic fix.

But what gave us comfort was knowing we were in the right place, surrounded by the right people, doing everything we could to support our son’s growth.


As an educator, you could say I was practicing what I preach.


I often tell the parents I work with:


PA Message to Other Parents:

If you’re in the early days of services, or if you’re still waiting to see those first signs of progress, I want you to remember:


  • Small wins matter.
  • Tiny steps forward are still steps forward.
  • And your love, your advocacy, your belief in your child—that is making a difference every single day, even when you can’t always see it yet.

Celebrate every attempt. Every new word. Every new letter.

Because one day, you’ll look back and realize—those small steps added up to something beautiful.

What small wins have you seen in your child’s journey?

I’d love to hear in the comments—let’s celebrate together.


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