ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - An Albany mother says her son, a high school graduate with autism, was not properly recognized for academic honors he earned and was treated differently than his classmates during end-of-year ceremonies in the Dougherty County School System.

Sheila Jackson said her son, Reginald Jordan, overcame major early challenges, including being nonverbal as a young child and experiencing severe sensory overload before becoming what she described as a self-sufficient young adult now preparing for college.

“We got a diagnosis for Reginald when he was two,” Jackson said.

She said her family used early intervention services and learned American Sign Language to communicate with him. Jackson said as Jordan grew older, speech therapy and consistent support at school helped him make major progress.

Jackson credited multiple educators for helping her son succeed, saying they worked with her to build a team approach that included daily communication and strategies to help him manage overstimulation, including quiet time and a weighted vest when needed.

Now, she said, Jordan can cook, clean, do his laundry, use computers, communicate effectively and drive.

“He overcame everything,” she said.

But Jackson said her family’s celebration turned “cloudy” after what she described as unequal recognition during the school’s honors ceremony.

She said Jordan earned A-B honor roll and two “Top Trojan” awards, which she said reflected high averages in certain subjects.

Jackson said she believed Jordan also qualified as an honors student based on his GPA and expected him to be called with other honors students in alphabetical order.

She said when names were called, Jordan’s name was skipped and instead he was later recognized as a “graduate of distinction.”

Jackson said the recognition came with a plain white stole that was different from other students’ honors stoles.

“They gave him a white stole with nothing on it. Nothing,” Jackson said. “And I don’t understand why, when he met the same criteria as everyone else.”

Jackson also said she had to push for her son’s participation in the National Beta Club, after she said she saw other students being recognized and questioned why her son who she said met the criteria was not included.

Jackson said she contacted the National Beta Club organization and reviewed its bylaws, then learned students with disabilities and students with IEPs can be eligible if they meet the requirements. She said she later worked with school staff and paid the required $35 fee by the deadline, but her son still did not receive a certificate during the program.

Jackson said she does not want an apology from the district but wants change.

“What I want to see is that another family or child will never experience this again,” she said, calling what happened “discrimination” and alleging her son was excluded because of his diagnosis.

Jackson said her son graduated with about a 3.6 GPA and earned mostly A’s in his final grades. She said he was also involved in cross country and received a letterman jacket at a sports banquet recognition she said was meaningful and showed how valued he was by some staff and classmates.

Jackson said her son has been accepted to multiple colleges and is preparing for the next stage of life. Jackson said she plans to continue advocating for people with neurodivergent disabilities, including adults, and for policies that ensure fair treatment and opportunity.

“Give people with invisible disabilities or different abilities a chance,” she said. “They deserve it.”

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