When we hear about someone having Down syndrome, it can be easy to fall prey to common myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes. After all, when we don’t have personal experience with a group of people, we may not have the knowledge to question or challenge the status quo. But, in the words of Maya Angelou, “When you know better, you do better.”

“Is my child ever going to speak??” I’ve heard this question so many times over the years from parents I work with who have nonverbal neurodiverse toddlers and older children. Sadly, the truth is not usually what they want to hear: There’s no way to know for sure.