December 15, 2025
“Gradually then Suddenly”
Yesterday was my daughter’s 28th birthday. The title “Gradually then Suddenly” is a concept and title of the book by Mark Batterson that I am reading. Mark describes this idea as to how our children grow gradually…and then suddenly, you wake up, and your child is now an adult.
I feel the same way when it comes to therapy with my little friends. Progress feels so gradual that it is easy to miss the incremental progress. Suddenly, I am writing a discharge summary and my time spent with them is over.
I think “gradually then suddenly” can apply to a child’s understanding and motivation in therapy. When the fire is lit and a child is encouraged, suddenly there is a flame burning bright, along with a new found willingness to practice and grow. I witnessed this recently when a parent sent me a video of her three year old son practicing his speech sounds with her. Previously, he would practice only with me during our sessions together. Gradually then suddenly the flame burned bright and he is now motivated to practice with his parents!
This busy holiday season, take time out to acknowledge how much progress you and your loved ones have made along the way.
It’s the perfect time to admire what has happened gradually then suddenly.