I never made a conscious decision, but I mostly talked to my kid like he was a normal human being with all rights and privileges. Not to say I never went loony

I never made a conscious decision, but I mostly talked to my kid like he was a normal human being with all rights and privileges. Not to say I never went loony on him, but "normal" situations got normal conversation, with perhaps a bit more enthusiasm/encouragement thrown in. And now at twelve he gets compliments on his articulation and engagement, and he treats me as a normal human being with all rights and privileges. Although I expect that treatment to stop any day now, as he approaches his teens. Nice while it lasted though. :)