Bixby senior diagnosed with autism graduating with straight A's

BIXBY, Okla. — A Bixby senior who was diagnosed with autism and unable to speak at age three is graduating with straight A’s.

Jake Wright is getting ready to start college and wants to be a neuropsychologist. He’s used a program called Spelling to Communicate to help. It’s also helping others with autism find their voice and passion.

“Watching your kids not be lonely anymore, it’s amazing,” said Jake’s mom Marci Watts.

Spelling is how they communicate. Spelling to Communicate is a program that helps them do just that. Spell out their conversations. I talked with lead speech pathologist Torrie Moreton about the impact it’s had on people she sees.

“We take for granted this conversation between you and I, so, being able to drop 26 letters with infinite possibilities in front of them, is everything,” said Moreton.

It’s what’s helped Jake Wright get to where he is today. A high school senior who’s graduating this month and furthering his education. His mom Marci says it’s a new lease in life for him.

“It’s a whole new world for him. He was in Special Ed with no future. We had no idea what we were going to do for him as an adult. Now he’s going to college, he’s planning a career, doing everything any normal 19-year-old would be doing,” said Marci.

Jake tells me he’s excited to start college and his path of becoming a neuropsychologist.

“What made you decide to be a neuropsychologist?”

He spelled out on his spell board his reason.

“I want to help people with trauma like me,” said Jake.

Even one of his best friends, Seth Taylor is excited to see him to do big things. He says he wants to see him change how people view people with autism. I talked with Seth’s mom too about what having the support from a group spellers has been like.

“What he’s communicated to me and to us, it’s been life changing to us to have a community of people who are like him, and can understand his journey, what he’s been through, and what it’s like to live in his body,” said Seth’s mom, Laurie Taylor.

Jake says even though he may communicate differently from others, he’s glad he’s found his voice. His mom says it’s a voice that’s helped him find confidence and friendships that have changed his life.

“You know how when you’re around your friends and you just feel like you’re yourself. I get that feeling from them. I haven’t asked Jake that but I watch and that’s what it feels like,” said Marci.

You can learn more about the Griffin Promise Autism Clinic by clicking here .