“She’s really such a beautiful girl,” the mother of a classmate offered as our children skipped hand-in-hand toward the playground. Smiling, I thanked her and mentioned how much my daughter loves playing with hers.

As the day went on, I thought about how, to a parent of typically developing children, that exchange wouldn’t cause a moment of pause. But to a special needs parent – to be honest – some of the common reassurances and cliches can leave a lasting sting. Continue reading →