An unexpected opportunity to be a gladiator advocate at a candy store found me unprepared to respond when a store employee singled out my son for humiliation. Stunned and confused, I said nothing. Identifying as an ambassador rather than an activist left my son vulnerable as a customer. Never again.

Children with verbal apraxia have a diverse set of speech and communication challenges that make it almost impossible for them to speak clearly without specific help with motor planning and other issues. They deserve community support, interested listeners, and alternative ways to communicate.

With a greater online audience for articles and interviews about the potential and accomplishments of children and teens with Down syndrome, there is also a higher incidence of negative comment and ignorant prejudice expressed that can distract us from advocacy and awareness messages.

Understanding the spectrum of experiences possible when students qualify for an IEP helps prepare parents to be strong advocates no matter what challenges they experience with school administrators, teachers or staff. It is better to hold on to high expectations and fall short than to give up.

Some parents and disability advocates characterize the Today Show segment about Sequenom's MaterniT21 PLUS test for Down syndrome as impartial as an advertisement, promoting negative stereotypes and misinformation; insensitive in tone, language and attitude; and lacking real parent representation.

Parent advocates in the past quarter century have found that creating an inclusive placement for their children's kindergarten year is the best way to improve opportunities and access for the rest of their children's school years and transition to adulthood.