This Student With Autism Never Spoke. Now, His Graduation Speech Will Make You Cry

Jun 21, 2018 by apost team

Sef Scott is a student with autism and a social disorder. These two diagnoses mean he doesn’t speak often. That’s why his classmates were blown away when he gave an unbelievable graduation speech.

Sef’s journey through high school wasn’t the easiest. As a student with autism, he struggled to make friends and follow classroom expectations. He felt ostracized by his peers. Due to a speech disorder, he rarely spoke, preferring to quote movies or just stay silent. He didn’t let that stop him from achieving his dream of speaking at commencement. Sef realized that his life was like everyone else’s. You’ve probably felt left out from a group of friends or like you were different from everyone else around you, right? Sef also has an older brother who’s been a role model to him. Sim Scott overcame cancer and uses his experience to raise money for pediatric cancer organizations.

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He wrote his speech with the help of his mother and brother. He wanted to capture all the words he’d tried to say over the past few years but hadn’t gotten out. Sef told his fellow classmates to focus on what makes them unique. He wanted other students to realize that no matter who they were personally, they had achieved success by making it to graduation. Sef also encouraged students to follow their dreams. After all, who would have thought that a shy student with autism would end up giving a commencement speech to hundreds of students? He encouraged listeners to put “unexpected moments” into their day-to-day lives and seize the unknown. You can read more excerpts from his speech at the Washington Post.

The crowd went wild for Sef’s speech. He received a standing ovation from the crowd as listeners exploded into applause. Many cried at the emotional impact of what Scott said. His friends and support professionals praised his bravery. Brittney Love, who provides one-on-one support to help Sef, praised his personal growth over the past year. She also says Sef is an inspiration to other students with special needs. Do you agree?

What did you think of Sef’s speech? Do you know anyone who might be inspired by this courageous student with autism?