Celebrating Inclusion: A Special Needs Graduation Story

There are moments in life you dream about but aren’t sure will ever come about. For us, one of those moments was Morgan’s high school graduation. 

When she turned 18, she was a senior at our local high school, and that meant starting to prepare her for graduation. Morgan could hardly contain her excitement and wanted to know all of the details; asking about what she’d wear and what the day would be like. For our family, this wasn’t just about a cap and gown. It was about reaching a milestone we weren’t always sure we’d see. Like many families raising a child with special needs, we learned to celebrate every step, big or small and this one was monumental.

We were so happy that we were going to be able to share in this accomplishment, just like every other student at her high school. Her right of passage into adulthood. 

Morgan has cognitive disabilities, and her coursework didn’t look like that of her fellow graduates. I remember sitting in the auditorium with our family, hearing her name called. As she walked across the stage, she beamed with pride, recognized not for the limitations of what she couldn’t do, but for the remarkable achievement of what she had accomplished. In that moment, it was impossible to hold back tears. She was celebrated exactly as every graduate should be: as a student whose hard work, growth, and community can carry us to moments we once only dreamed of.

What struck me most was the atmosphere in the room when students from the varying exceptionalities classroom graduated. The applause seemed louder, the tears more abundant. You could feel it...the joy wasn’t just ours as families; it belonged to the whole community. It was a powerful reminder that inclusive graduation ceremonies for special needs students uplift everyone.

That’s why it’s heartbreaking to know that in Florida, new laws may prevent future students with special needs from participating in graduation alongside their peers. The thought that families won’t get to see their children honored in this way makes me even more grateful that Morgan had this chance and even more determined to keep telling these stories. Because every milestone matters. Every child deserves to be recognized.

Graduation, of course, isn’t the end of the story. It’s the turning of a page. For families of children with disabilities, the next chapter is often filled with big questions: What comes after high school for special needs adults? What opportunities exist for adult day programs, job training, or supported employment that allow our young adults to continue learning, growing, and thriving?

That’s exactly what Jill and I will be exploring in this week’s podcast episode: “Transition Planning: Finding The Right Path For Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities After High School.” We’ll dive into what families may choose, what resources are available, and with early planning how you can find the right path for your young adult.

✨ My hope is that Morgan’s story inspires you the way it inspired our community: to celebrate every accomplishment, to advocate for inclusion in schools, and to believe that our kids deserve moments of recognition and pride. Because they do.

👉 Strength Happens: Episode 6 - Transition Planning: Finding The Right Path For Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities After High School.

Visit Strength Happens page to find resources and links to the Transition Planning podcast.

Resources: High School Transition Planning Checklist and Tips for Transitioning.