If you missed it in the news over the weekend, a senior who lives with an Autism Spectrum Disorder at Celebration High School in Florida, was named Prom King. This was not a “special” Prom; it was the school’s annual Prom for all juniors and seniors.

This is the kind of news that inspires people.

It inspires parents like me…I long for Ethan to be accepted, understood and appreciated by his typical peers. I can only imagine the elation Shane’s mother must have felt hearing the student body chant Shane’s name just before the announcement was made.

It inspires educators…when inclusive education is done well – everyone benefits. Shane’s peers voted for HIM; they didn’t have to – they chose to! Acceptance and understanding in schools, especially Middle and High schools, starts with the teachers. They are the ultimate role models for how students treat their peers.
I hope and pray that this story will give teachers and administrators the strength and courage to continue to fight for and implement inclusive programs that teach not only students with ASD, but neurotypical students, as well.

And, I can only imagine that Shane’s story must inspire individuals living with ASD.

What a lovely Autism Awareness Month story; I hope you are as inspired as I have been by Shane’s story.

I applaud the news outlets that took this story and ran with it; I only wish it had received more coverage and attention. If you have not already, I encourage you to watch a video interview with Shane and his mother on Fox News and read an article about Shane’s special night from the Orlando Sentinel. And, if you are inclined to, please share this story with someone you know who might find it inspirational as well.

My heartfelt congratulations go out to Shane, his family, his peers and his educators!

♥

Leigh Attaway Wilcox is a writer and editor for the projectLD family of companies. Leigh is Assistant Editor of the internationally acclaimed AutismSpot.com and her work can be found on many of the pLDNetworks sites. Leigh is the author of ALL BETTER: A Touch-and-Heal Book published by Piggy Toes Press in 2007. Leigh lives in North Texas with her husband and young son who loves reading, LEGOs, Mario Bros. and also happens to live with Asperger's Syndrome, an Autism Spectrum Disorder.