When we first started this journey, I thought we’d be able to track our son’s progress in a clear, steady way.
We had the evaluations. We had the plan. We had the supports in place.
And for a while, it felt like everything was moving forward.
Then, suddenly… it didn’t.
The numbers didn’t budge. The IEP goals remained unmet. Some days felt like steps backward. As a parent, it was frustrating. As an educator, I knew this was possible—but it still felt heavy in my heart.
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Here’s What I’ve Learned
Progress in special education is rarely a straight line.
There are peaks and valleys. There are bursts of growth followed by periods of quiet. Sometimes, it seems like everything is stuck—until one day, something clicks.
And sometimes… progress looks like:
- Making eye contact a little longer
- Sitting for 5 more minutes at the table
- Telling you they had a hard day (even in just a few words)
- Repeating a word that never seemed to stick before
These moments may not be measured in formal testing—but they matter.
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As a Parent and Educator, I’ve Come to Believe:
If a child is trying, that is progress.
If you’re working together as a team, that’s success—even when it’s slow.
If the growth is happening in life skills, not just academics, it still counts.
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Celebrate the Small Wins
If you’re in a season where the goals feel far away, take a deep breath. You are not alone. Progress doesn’t always look like a graph going up.
It can look like a smile. A new sound. A moment of calm.
It can look like trying again.
And that’s worth everything.
