.. 
HINDI balakid sa pangarap ang autism. Ito ang pinatunayan ng isang estudyante matapos makamit ang pinakamataas na parangal sa pagtatapos ng kursong Bachelor of Science in Psychology sa De La Salle University (DLSU).
Sa kanyang naging talumpati sa graduation ceremony, agad nagmarka ang matapang niyang panimula.
“I am autistic, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” wika ni Juan Alfonzo Dacumos, kasabay ng tuligsa sa mga aniya’y maling pagtingin sa mga katulad niyang may autism spectrum disorder.
“In the Philippines, autism characterizations and expectations have been anchored on social struggles, self-care hardships, and limited potential,”
“For so long, people suggested autistic individuals are incapable of succeeding and achieving typical life goals such as strong careers, living independently, or even graduating with flying colors,” sambit ng Summa Cum Laude.
Gayunpaman, nilinaw ni Dacumos na marami pa rin naman umanong umunawa at tumanggap sa kanya – at kabilang rin uimano ang mga naturang indibidwal sa mga nagsilbing inspirasyon sa kanyang landas tungo sa tagumpay.
“You never criticized me, nor saw a deficit. Instead, you saw a difference. A difference that never made me inferior or less capable. You encouraged me to thrive in a way that allowed me to embrace my autism. You made an autistic boy look into his future with hope.”
