Woody Brown, a 28-year-old non-speaking autistic author, has published his debut novel Upward Bound, set in an adult day care centre in southern California. The book offers a poignant look at the lives of neurodivergent individuals who are often misunderstood and patronised. Brown communicates using a letter board, with his mother Mary speaking his words aloud.
Brown's journey has been fraught with challenges. As a child, specialists and teachers dismissed him as a lost cause, placing him in the lowest special education class. Despite his ability to spell complex words like 'melancholy' at age eight, he was largely left uneducated. 'I was in the pit of despair,' Brown tapped, describing his early years of boredom and frustration.
His breakthrough came at age 12 when he was moved to a remedial class that offered basic academics. With the support of his mother, who taught him to communicate using a letter board after being inspired by a TV programme, Brown gradually found his voice. 'She has been at my side for every moment of my journey,' he said. 'Without her there is no me.'
Upward Bound tells the story from multiple perspectives, including a character loosely based on Brown. The novel aims to show neurotypical readers the rich inner lives of autistic people. 'I wanted neurotypical people to read my book, not out of pity but because it was a good book,' Brown explained. 'That way I can reach the hordes who underestimate and infantilise us, and show them how vivid and magnificent we are.'
