The 2 words you should say to someone facing a new diagnosis (Mandy Farmer, The Mighty). Many of the phrases people say (eg I’m sorry, he’ll be fine, he seems so normal, and I hope not) don’t comfort; they simply insert my opinion when my opinion wasn’t asked. Parents facing an ASD diagnosis don’t want unsolicited advice or pity. They don’t want you to minimize their feelings or give false hope. They want you to listen. They want you to care. The two simple and perfect words you can say: “I’m here.”