"He hit me first!" "Liar, you started it!" "Red Head, Red Head-ha ha!" "She's calling me names!" "Stop picking on me!" As parents and teachers these words are only too familiar.

Ryan studies his shoelaces carefully as he makes two loops and then considers the next step. The final knot laboriously completed, he runs outside to his bike. He mounts his bike, and rides off slowly with the typical wobbles of someone who has recently acquired this skill. Ryan has been doing the usual job of a child in learning these complex new skills. Sound familiar? Maybe, or maybe Ryan's story has an important difference.