Understand as defined by Merriam-Webster:: to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something 

Understood as defined by the same:: fully apprehended 

Both seem simple enough, yet in the last 15 years I seem to have forgotten the meaning of these two simple words more often than I remember.  

Kyle & Hunter are for the most part non-verbal, but they both fully understand what others are saying to them and about them and if I or anyone that is speaking to or at them would keep this in mind, we might be better understood; or at least have the opportunity to be. They also understand everything else that goes on around them, within reason of course; they are not subjected to most of the nonsense that typical or normal kids are these days, so in a sense, Kyle and Hunter have the advantage of not having to understand things like suicide, drugs, politics, sex, mortal combat, movie stars, rock stars and supposed pro sports heroes.  

It is generally understood that Kyle & Hunter have Down syndrome; they have also been diagnosed with some Autism spectrum disorders however upon receiving said diagnoses we, as the parents, find it increasingly difficult to understand what to do with said diagnosis; there is after all, no magic pill that fixes this and if there were, I am of the belief that maybe it’s more us, as normal folks, that need fixing rather than Kyle & Hunter. 

Understood?