He didn’t say things to hurt anyone; he just didn’t understand why certain truths weren’t always welcomed and said out loud. His parents never mentioned any diagnosis, and I didn’t ask; at the time, I didn’t realize how much I didn’t understand. When we talk about the failures of special education, the spotlight almost always shines on schools — on overcrowded classrooms, undertrained staff, underfunded programs and systemic ableism. For many of us, special education once meant segregation and missed opportunities, and no parent wants their child to be underestimated because of their perceived abilities. That is the power of shared truth and early partnership.