A side note.

Sometimes the hardest thing for a parent of a special needs child, is the time during which you are lulled into thinking your child is perfectly "fine." Because, of course, out of the blue you are jerked awake by a moment of anewed clarity. This may be a moment of fear, during which your child does something that most kids their age would not do, or any moment like that. These times are the hardest- not the times of therapy, learning new ways to adapt, or making their lives better- that's the easy stuff.

It's the time of "almost normality" that is almost a cruel trick. Parents go about their lives, allowing for the small illusion that they can ease up, let go, and relax. Be assured, every child has "special needs" but some of them, like ours, have needs that even our closet family and friends just don't see- the little things we have to do for them every single hour to make them safe. It is exhausting, mentally and physically. Our child is happy, playful and full of life. He has vision needs that affect the way he learned to speak, communicate physically, and even coordinate his movements. He will lead a fulfilling adult life because he has never known any different.

For parents, the differences are hard. But that place of contentment, so alluring, so welcomed...is a place to beware of. It's full of promises that weren't yours to keep. It's not about lowering any standards for your child, but about changing them...

Then, the parent can sleep in contentment- being assured of what is reality and what is not.

That is peace.