Nonspeaking autistic woman embarks on journey to advocate for disability rights

At 29 years old, Jordyn Zimmerman is autistic and nonspeaking but she's making her voice heard on some of the most prestigious stages. Jamie Wax sat down with Zimmerman in her first broadcast television interview to discuss the struggles she faced growing up, the way that a communication app on an iPad changed her life and her ability to connect with others.

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[juliafischer]

I love Gayle's comment - just because someone is non-speaking doesn't mean that they're non-thinking, non-feeling, or non-hearing. I have a fifteen year-old non-speaking son, and he always knows exactly what's going on! People tend to underestimate him and his cognition.

[dk]

My son talked with me for the first time at 6. And his conversation went on for an hour and a half. He talked about how to fall in love and wanting to go to college. I can appreciate Jordan's story so much

[TheTishy]

My daughter is autistic but verbal…. she has a hard time getting those thoughts out, in speech, but when she writes…wow, the insight to who she is. She just finished her first year of college. This story was wonderful…and gives me so much hope for my daughter’s future.

[teresalegler]

I worked with autistic children age 3-6. Unfortunately, we only had 1 iPad per classroom. We also had 2 computers. The children had to take turns. They would get extremely upset when their turn was over. Access to the technology is really lacking. Of course, in Louisianas, our funding isn’t the same as many other states. So glad to see the progress in the programs. The ability to communicate needs to be vastly advanced.

[fuzzybug]

This story deeply resonated with me. I’m really inspired by the work she is doing. My son is autistic. He can speak but it doesn’t come easily. He’s a lot like her, a deep thinker, an incredibly empathetic person, and he thinks in such a unique and smart way. His voice is so important to be heard but I’m one of the few people that hear him on that level because of the time and the process it takes to get what’s inside to the outside. Thank you for putting this story out and highlighting this topic!

[tessrzeszutko]

I was only a couple of years behind Jordyn in school and her story impacted me then as it does now. I am crying so hard she deserves all the recognition. Her op ed she wrote for our hometown paper when she was graduating really reflects so much of who she has become today

[infinitepower]

I worked in the ADA industry for over 5 years and people with disabilities are sometimes fully ignored by business owners and it’s sickening. We should do more for the people who have so much less 💯

[Jungshook]

As an occupational therapist, I greatly valued that you shared Jordan’s story. Verbal language is only one way that we can communicate and interact with one another, and lack of verbal language should never limit someone’s ability to participate in any activity that they want to. Go Jordan!

[RetroAdventurer-km]

Its so sad she didn't have a communication device until 18 😥

[nia]

She’s beautiful. Made me cry. God bless her.

[madelinecastele]

I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with Jordyn about 10 years ago. She’s honestly amazing and it’s very easy to be her friend. Glad to see that she’s doing well and achieving so much!

[MrsDaedalus_]

As a neurodivergent women, who is at the same age as her, I am so grateful from the bottom of my heart that she is actively making a change for children with disabilities in the education system!

[ss]

That was incredible! Thank you so much for this story and for introducing us to this amazing woman!

[dawnhughes]

I'm an autistic older adult. It is not safe to be autistic in this world, especially for those of us who were rejected by our families. There. Is little to no acceptance, support or hope. I don't see this getting any better for older adults in my lifetime, if anything it's gotten worse lately, but I really appreciate the awareness this amazing young lady is raising.

[blumberg]

18!! That is horribly late. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that crap.

[LindaRae.]

It hurt me to hear the narrator call autism an “intellectual disability”. We have been introduced to a verbal disability related to this particular brain’s wiring. Her intellect, as she has and continues to prove, is fully intact.

[raea]

This means a lot to me as an autistic individual. I do speak but I've always felt as though spoken language is a foreign language to me and I communicate better through written word.
Communication is so important for everyone but I wish this technology was more available to both children and adults who are autistic. I feel, as Jordyn pointed out, that non-speaking autistic children are segregated and are also pushed to speak when this is not what they are comfortable with.
I want society and especially teachers and the medical community to become comfortable with the fact that verbal speaking is not the only way to communicate and it's not always the best either.

[elizabethjackson]

She is literally the sweetest, her spirit is just the absolute best, well wishes to her and the children she helps!

[beesknees]

How can I add a million likes to this video? I'm in tears. This is incredibly inspiring

[Constitutionalist]

I'm almost 40 years old and I'm so burnt out on life from seeing the wickedness of the world and the disregard humans have for one another, but every now and then, I see a story like this that brings tears to my eyes, because this woman has an incredibly opptimistic outlook and wants to be a force for change. The first and last statement she made hit me square in the heart. I hope she goes on to change "our" world for the better.