I no longer think that when someone gives you the cold shoulder, they are ignoring you. They are, in a backhanded way, acknowledging your presence: They turn away, they tighten their muscles, they grimace. All indications that they know you are there.
As hurtful as getting a cold shoulder is, what is truly gut-wrenching is not getting any acknowledgement of your presence whatsoever. Doubly-so when the other person is your own child.
Who would, who could do this? A child severely impacted by autism.
What I wouldn’t give for one hug, even one look, from my daughter.
