Jacob Rock, a remarkable teenager with autism, has spent seven years honing his ability to communicate using his iPad. In a surprising turn of events, just six months after starting to type his first words, Jacob revealed that he had composed a symphony. This 70-minute masterpiece, titled “Unforgettable Sunrise,” symbolizes his journey out of silence and was recently unveiled to the public.
Seated in the sixth row of the renowned Alex Theater on a Saturday night in September, Jacob was immersed in the music created by a 54-piece orchestra. These were the same sounds that he had first heard in his mind. As a nonverbal teenager with autism, he had written this symphony, representing his personal transformation and emergence from silence.
Jacob’s path to communication began seven years ago when he started using his iPad to type words with a single finger. This breakthrough happened during the global COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns forced everyone to stay indoors. It was in this solitude that Jacob began to break free from his limitations.
One of Jacob’s first complete sentences, spoken through a text-to-speech app, was a declaration to his parents: “My name is Jacob. Not Jake.” This marked the beginning of a journey that would astonish those around him. Within six months, Jacob informed his father, Paul Rock, that he had composed a 70-minute symphony entirely in his mind. Paul, a former record promoter and founder of the Wild Honey Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting autism treatment through concerts and fundraising events, recalls that this moment propelled them into a two-year mission to help Jacob express the music trapped within him.
Jacob’s original description of the symphony, provided to musician Rob Laufer for composition assistance, depicted a series of vivid musical images. It included bursts of cacophony followed by soaring violins that represented joy and reaching for the sun. According to Jacob, being autistic enabled him to hear music that mirrored his own isolated existence, driving him to create awareness through his composition.
Collaborating closely with Laufer over the next two years, Jacob conveyed his musical vision despite being unable to read sheet music. Through meticulous descriptions, the duo created a score that included unique combinations of instruments, such as harp and bongo. The result was a musical journey filled with haunting flutes, demanding strings, and triumphant violins met by majestic horns.
Paul always believed that his son would do something creative. Music has always been Jacob’s passion. As a baby, he would find solace in the songs of the Beach Boys or Bob Dylan. In his childhood, Paul installed wind chimes in his room to prevent Jacob from venturing out at night to play with the ones on their porch. Today, Jacob, now a young adult, owns various instruments, including bongo and conga drums and a piano.
Jacob faces challenges with complex movements and severe gastrointestinal issues. Before discovering a means to communicate using his iPad, he would resort to self-harm during painful flare-ups. Finally being able to express himself in words has been profoundly satisfying for Jacob. It has revealed a vivid internal world full of poetry, an affinity for movies, and a hunger for knowledge far beyond his previous academic achievements.
Experts who specialize in treating individuals with autism recognize that nonverbal patients often possess extraordinary abilities that are frequently underestimated. These abilities can include exceptional memories, artistic talents, and musical aptitude. However, they may be overshadowed by other symptoms, such as anxiety, aggression, and motor control delays.
Dr. Sharief Taraman, a pediatric neurologist and associate professor at the University of California, Irvine, emphasizes the importance of understanding and leveraging the unique strengths of individuals with autism. Treating the distressing aspects while empowering these individuals to use their “superpowers” effectively is the goal.
For Jacob, the debut of his symphony was a deeply personal experience. Observers were struck by his radiant expression and his unwavering attention throughout the performance. This symphony holds immense significance for Jacob, highlighting the impact and importance of his musical creation.
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