Generally, loud and exuberant clapping shows excitement, appreciation and celebration. Although, for Jack Higgins who has autism, loud noises are bothersome, painful and downright scary. And so, in a beautiful act of communal awareness, the entire graduating class and all in attendance, stood in silence as Jack came to receive his diploma. It may not have been natural to many, but it was what was needed. And that is possibly the most educational thing all of these high school graduates could have learned. Discovering the way to best interact with another is essential in leading a successful life. This is the idea in Chassidic philosophy that one needs to give “b’ofen hamiskabel” in the way that the receiver can receive. And that is exactly what happened when no one clapped as Jack Higgins graduated in supportive silence.
