High School Students Give Silent Ovation As Classmate With Autism Attends His Graduation

Jul 14, 2019 by apost team

Jack Higgins was born with autism, but he never let it hold him back. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is actually a broad spectrum of developmental disorders. The most common symptoms associated with autism are obsessive and repetitive behaviors, difficulty communicating, struggling with social interactions and extreme sensitivity to loud noise.

Jack's parents, Pat and Barbara Higgins, knew how hard their son worked to graduate from Carmel High School. He earned his diploma through dedication and hard work, and his parents wanted him to participate in his graduation ceremony.

There was only one problem: Jack struggles with sensory issues. The cheers and applause at a typical graduation ceremony would probably be too much for the young man.

apost.com

Lou Riolo, the principal at Carmel High School, wanted to see Jack Higgins walk across the stage and accept his diploma on graduation day.

He approached the school board and suggested asking the crowd to remain silent when Jack Higgins's name was called. The school board agreed, and Jack started practicing for his big day.

Even with a silent crowd, there was a chance Jack would be overwhelmed by the number of people packed into the school gymnasium.

So, he practiced walking across the stage and smiling for photos. He also practiced putting his fingers in his ears to block out any loud noises.

Jack's parents and Principal Riolo weren't the only ones who wanted to ensure that Jack enjoyed his big day. His classmates decided to honor Jack's accomplishments. When he received his diploma, the entire graduating class rose to their feet in a silent ovation.

Principal Riolo told CNN that nobody told the recent graduates to give Jack Higgins a silent ovation. They came up with the idea on their own.

Sometimes, the media makes it seem like the world has become a horrible place. We only hear about the bad, and it makes us forget that there are so many amazing people doing good things. Jack's graduating class proves that there is hope for the next generation.

You can watch the heartwarming video of Jack's graduation below.

A little compassion goes a long way. We want to hear from you, our readers. Tell us about a random act of kindness that you've witnessed. Don't forget to show this to your friends to help us spread the word about Jack Higgins and his supportive classmates.