Student with Down syndrome earns diploma in Bartlett
Walking through Bartlett High School with Ben Halvorson is a little like walking through city hall with the mayor. It's hard to get places quickly. Everyone knows 18-year-old Ben. He's been in the Bartlett schools pipeline, formerly part of Shelby County Schools, since he was 3.
His peers sat next to him in class the last 16 years, played sports with him— especially basketball—and named him prom king.
Last week, he graduated with them. And when he looks at his diploma, it will look the same as any other Bartlett student's.
That's quite a feat for a young man with Down syndrome.
Ben was born with the genetic disorder, which can cause an array of developmental and physical challenges.
Tennessee students can earn one of four diplomas, three of which are designed for students with special needs, depending on their abilities and the path their families and teachers believe is best.
Ben will be the first student in the 4year-old Bartlett City Schools district with Down syndrome to graduate with a regular diploma. That means he had to earn the same 22 credits as students without intellectual disabilities.
"This is my happy tears," Ben said through a burst of emotion that came while talking about how much he loves Bartlett.
With an arm around him, Ben's mother, Rebecca Halvorson, reflected on the lengthy journey accomplished through Ben's hard work and the commitment of teachers, administrators, therapists and family members.
"You did it, buddy," she told her son. "You graduated."
Early intervention
Ben's parents received his diagnosis before he was born.
"We didn’t really know what to expect," his mother said.
Their plan was to treat him the same as their older daughter, and others encouraged them early on to have high expectations.
Ben experienced early developmental delays. He started walking and speaking later than most children, but his family used sign language to communicate. He received interventions through physical, occupational and speech therapists.
When it came time for school, his parents pushed for his inclusion in a regular classroom as much as possible. Ben's early teachers were on board, Halvorson said.
"That's the route we wanted to try to take," she said. "Luckily, we had folks at every step of the way who supported us and helped make that happen."
Halvorson said she recognizes their good fortune. Ben's disability is less severe than many others with similar conditions, and he didn't have serious medical issues that set him back. He also had extensive support from family and teachers.
Not every child with Down syndrome is as lucky, and a special education route may be the best fit for many.
"You have to find what makes sense for your family," she said. "It is very individualized."
But often, she said, parents of children with disabilities don't know the options and supports available for their child.
"I think sometimes parents don't know what is available or what they can request or what their rights are," Halvorson said. "And also a lot of times it can be overwhelming, and you can grow weary."
Accommodations and routines
Marianne Lenahan knew to expect the Halvorsons to show up to meetings about Ben with 6-inch-thick binders detailing his history and academic plans.
That's how involved they were in his education, said the Bartlett High transition specialist, who helps students find their post-secondary path.
She met Ben when he was in the seventh grade at Appling Middle.
"We knew from the get-go that the Halvorsons wanted him to graduate with a regular diploma," she said.
Lenahan said she'd never seen a student with Down syndrome be able to do that, but the school system did every-