Navigating the Gradual Path of Skill Development, Defying Expectations

Brantley's skill development is a journey, not a race – a reminder I've needed a lot throughout the last eight years.

Just before turning 8, testing compared Brantley's cognitive abilities to that of a 14 month-old. At that rate, progress is hard to see.

Today, I anxiously observed Brantley picking up a cup, silently hoping he wouldn't hurl it, splattering milk across us both.

Despite years of efforts to teach him the proper cup-handling steps, his routine has always remained the same - a sip followed by a throw. I was certain we were destined for a life of sippy cups or spills. But today without prompting my cup throwing boy gripped a cup with his fleshy fingers, carefully gulped a sip of milk and delicately placed the cup on the counter.

In witnessing his progress, the realization struck me like a cup he might have previously tossed – his journey is truly gradual. He's moving forward at his own pace, and that's absolutely fine. Even when it's challenging to see, he is making progress and will show the skills when he is ready to do so.