There’s a lot of movement in this season.
Schedules fill quickly. Expectations pile up. Even the good things can feel loud.
And lately, one small word keeps showing up for me:
Pause.
Not a big pause.
Not a retreat or a day off or a perfectly quiet moment.
Just a small pause.
A breath.
A moment of stillness before the next step.
That kind of pause can change everything.
A Small Moment That Mattered
Recently, during a creative activity, I caught myself wanting to move things along.
We had materials out. We had time constraints. My brain was already thinking about the next step.
Instead, I paused.
I waited.
I watched.
I allowed space.
And in that pause, something meaningful happened.
Engagement deepened. Connection grew. Participation unfolded in its own way.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing rushed.
Just presence.
The Occupational Therapy Lens
As an occupational therapist, I know this to be true:
Pausing is not passive. It’s active support.
Wait time supports regulation.
It creates safety.
It allows processing.
It gives someone the chance to show us how they want to participate.
So often, especially when supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, our instinct is to help more, prompt more, do more.
But sometimes the most powerful support we offer is space.
Space for hands to explore.
Space for ideas to surface.
Space for connection without pressure.
Connection Without Spotlight
One thing I think about often is how we show connection.
Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight.
Not every meaningful moment needs a face or a name or an explanation.
Sometimes connection looks like:
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sitting side-by-side
-
sharing materials
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following another person’s lead
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creating together, quietly
These are the moments that matter — even if they don’t look dramatic or “productive” from the outside.
A Gentle Invitation for Caregivers
If today feels full, I invite you to try this:
Pause once.
Just once.
Before giving the next instruction.
Before moving to the next step.
Before deciding how something should look.
Notice what happens when you wait.
You might be surprised by what unfolds.
A Closing Thought
Pausing doesn’t mean you’re doing less.
It means you’re creating space for possibility.
And that kind of leadership — quiet, thoughtful, intentional —
is deeply meaningful.
Reflection Question
Where might a pause create possibility instead of delay today?