Last year was horrific both for DS8 and myself. Crying, failing,struggling to get needs met. Get the note asking me to come to conferences, sit down to face 3 teachers at once. I was bowled over when they said "we love your son" "he always has something interesting to add" No issues about his tourette tics and noises or obstinance just respect for who he is. Yes sometimes surviving a year can make the difference. I wanted to cry and hug those women all at the same time.