Kandis Crone reports on Woody Brown, who was diagnosed with autism when he was two years old, and is now becoming UCLA's first ever nonverbal graduate.
Hi Adriana, this is Woody's mom. He is in his second year at Columbia, where he has already won a prestigious writing prize. He has finished a collection of short stories and is working on his first novel. The feedback he has been getting has been extraordinary and we are very excited about his future. My only advice is to read, read, read to your child (age appropriate, don't dummy down ever), even if it looks like she doesn't want it. She does, her body just won't let her tell you. Presume intelligence and just keep going!
Can we take a second to appreciate the MOM who has made an incredible sacrifice? He would not be here without her. This is the power of the gift of great parenting - something we are absolutely terrible at as a country.
My child was so playful and verv interactive since 1year of using doctor Oyalo herbs ….and now he is verbal and also improve in social skills, he can now communicate, recite alphabets and numbers
He was talking tho. Is this another pity fest awards? Physical limitations exist, and he is behind. Give him all the honors, do not lie to him that he is a pinnacle of achievement under any measurement other than that of an assumed judgement. Patronising.
He completed all the requirements to graduate with honours. The limitations you're suggesting are more of a reflection of your own bias than of his work achievements. Yes, he has a disability, but he accomplished this himself, nobody is lying to him.
@@oliviac2585 There are accommodations made for him so that he may reach these heights. His ability to communicate is not on par with other students. The Throughput at which he can convey information is a fundamental reality. Then, everybody ought to have honors. Unless Honors is a device to "advance social causes." College ought to be challenging so that the best rise to the top. Not so that we all get trophies for participation.
@@AlexanderZapataIndividual Plenty of students receive accommodations, that does not mean they are any less intelligent. Honours is not a participation trophy, he earned it. It's telling that you're willing to discredit him without having read a single piece of his writing. I also graduated with high honours, I know how much work goes into it. Try not to be so negative, you're not making the point you think you are.
@@AlexanderZapataIndividual He has a degree with honours, a caring family, and a career goal. He's likely more ready for the "ruthlessness of the world" than most people. I think you're making false assumptions about how much disabled people can accomplish.
His mom is so inspiring. What a blessed young man.
When they say he couldn’t, he showed them he could!!! Bravo young man!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Bless his Mom’s heart for her devotion to her son! So proud of you Woody!! 🙌🏼
Why doesn’t UA-cam algorithms headline more stories like this to me
Congrats & God bless him!!! Great inspiration to others with challenges!
Congratulations, young man! I needed to see your story. I have a nonverbal autistic daughter.
This is simply amazing! Kudos to mom. Always advocate for your children 👏🏾👏🏾
This is so incredibly inspiring.
Congratulations, Woody. You are a real trail blazer! Thank you.
Gayalyn and Wallace Wojtowicz, Sr.--parents
Congratulations and big respect to the parents. I know its not easy
A brave young man with an even braver mom. God bless them both!
Taking care of your neurodivergent child doesn't make you brave. It makes you a parent, just like everyone else who has children.
@@tantis_pig no it’s a lot more challenges. Its not the same as parenting a neurotypical child at all.
@@TheBebe2214 it does not make you brave.
@@tantis_pig the world disagrees with you
Amazing… Congratulations… He is such a genius… May he be an inspiration to many…🙏😇😃
You are an inspiration, Woody!
Can we get an update on Woody??? I am a mom to a soon-to-be three year old girl who has autism, level 3, and is non-verbal. This gives me hope.
Hi Adriana, this is Woody's mom. He is in his second year at Columbia, where he has already won a prestigious writing prize. He has finished a collection of short stories and is working on his first novel. The feedback he has been getting has been extraordinary and we are very excited about his future. My only advice is to read, read, read to your child (age appropriate, don't dummy down ever), even if it looks like she doesn't want it. She does, her body just won't let her tell you. Presume intelligence and just keep going!
I needed to see this. I have a 8 year old non-verbal child.
Are they okay?
Amazing ❤️
Amazing mother.
Good job!!!! 👏🏾👏🏾
Congrats!!! Big accomplishment!!! Good job!!!🧩🧩🧩
CONGRATS ❗️❗️
great mom❤❤❤❤
Can we take a second to appreciate the MOM who has made an incredible sacrifice? He would not be here without her.
This is the power of the gift of great parenting - something we are absolutely terrible at as a country.
What sacrifice? She's being a supportive parent. That's not a sacrifice. It's what any good parent would do.
Helll yeah dude!
Inspiring
Really gives hope to parents of other autistic children, speaking and non speaking. ❤
🌻sooo cool 🦋
Nonverbal and gets an English degree. He's also the greatest writer UCLA has had. Look at what God does.❤❤
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
🥳🧑🏻🎓👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
If this guy could do it!
Yes you thieves can do it.
No excuses.
pretty backhanded comment ngl
Huh
The fuck makes us thieves huh?
Nice! UCLA is hard to get into.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
My child was so playful and verv interactive since 1year of using doctor Oyalo herbs ….and now he is verbal and also improve in social skills, he can now communicate, recite alphabets and numbers
BS I knew a deaf mute lady who got an acounting degree from UCLA . Not first
Deaf not the same as nonverbal autism. So yeah, he is the first.
Autism is different. Cognitive challenges make it harder.
Not all autistic people have cognitive/intellectual issues.
@@aspiechan420 they said the first" non verbal"
@@stewartmckinley7058 yeah I know.
With that english degree now he's qualified to work at Starbucks
Still leagues smarter than you
why even have a kid if there’s a chance the kid will be like this.
How can you watch this video and have this takeaway? Unbelievable
I hope you don’t procreate.
Very disrespectful.
How sad for you. Woody has been a joy and gift to our family.
He was talking tho.
Is this another pity fest awards?
Physical limitations exist, and he is behind. Give him all the honors, do not lie to him that he is a pinnacle of achievement under any measurement other than that of an assumed judgement.
Patronising.
He completed all the requirements to graduate with honours. The limitations you're suggesting are more of a reflection of your own bias than of his work achievements. Yes, he has a disability, but he accomplished this himself, nobody is lying to him.
@@oliviac2585 There are accommodations made for him so that he may reach these heights. His ability to communicate is not on par with other students. The Throughput at which he can convey information is a fundamental reality. Then, everybody ought to have honors. Unless Honors is a device to "advance social causes." College ought to be challenging so that the best rise to the top. Not so that we all get trophies for participation.
@@AlexanderZapataIndividual Plenty of students receive accommodations, that does not mean they are any less intelligent. Honours is not a participation trophy, he earned it.
It's telling that you're willing to discredit him without having read a single piece of his writing. I also graduated with high honours, I know how much work goes into it. Try not to be so negative, you're not making the point you think you are.
@@oliviac2585 I do not contend Intelligence. I speak of the ruthlessness of the world. And whether he can pretend to be ready to compete in it.
@@AlexanderZapataIndividual He has a degree with honours, a caring family, and a career goal. He's likely more ready for the "ruthlessness of the world" than most people. I think you're making false assumptions about how much disabled people can accomplish.