If your child is SN do you find other people....

Yes, I get the same comments sometimes, but I have to say usually this happens when I mention it when making small talk with other people I don't see often and/or I'm not very close with. Probably they don't know what to say, and yes, I do think they want to empathise (or at least pretend they do and be polite) or they may really have not much knowledge about certain SNs - which is normal for someone who's not affected by it or is not a health professional/SEN teacher etc. I didn't know much before my children had a diagnose I have to admit, and maybe I could've made similar comments.

Or maybe they want to tell you that parents of "normal" children have their problems, too?

Those friends/relatives etc. I'm closer with hardly ever make these comments, probably because I told them more about the SN so they understand better.

But I know what you mean, and yes, it can sometimes be irritating.

MrsA, this strikes a chord with me. My good friend's ds is autistic and I have often said to her in the past, 'My ds does that too' and things like that. I think I want her to know that not every challenging trait in her ds is down to autism. I think I try to assuage her fears that he is this odd, socially unacceptable character when he's really gorgeous and lovely.

I agree it does sound patronising and I think I'd probably be irritated too. My ds has diabetes and I find it irritating when people play it down. They're probably trying to make me feel better but I'd much rather people recognised the extent to which I have had to change our lives to deal with it.

I will certainly think again before making such glib assertions. I'm grateful you have pointed this out.