SOLVED. 2010's fiction. A non-verbal teenager with poor motor function is assumed to be dumb until someone gives him a way to communicate as a teenager [s]

[Christopher]

I cannot remember the name of the book nor the author. But I know that the author was a non-verbal autist and blogger (and he used the word "autist" which I don't see used in many other places). The book was heavily inspired from the author's experience, but was a more dramatic take and was a fiction novel.

I never read the book, I just remember seeing it on his blog several years back, and now I can't find the book or the author's blog. I'm _fairly_ certain that the publication announcement was in the last decade.

The story (as I remember from the summary) was that a boy was non-verbal and had little control over his motor functions and was assumed to have a learning disorder and was repeatedly taught his ABCs and other foundational cirricula into his teenage years as they were trying to get him to communicate understanding in his word sounds and movements, but really, he was highly intelligent but unable to control his speech or movements. Sometime into his teenage years, someone figures out a way for him to communicate using an iPad or something similar.

I've went through a dozen searches, but books about the autism experience seem to be a dime a dozen and I have no idea of the title or author. I'll buy a coffee for anyone that can help me figure it out.

Thank you,
Topher.

[Jade]

This is a long shot, but might it be Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body?

It doesn't quite fit, he had no issues until I think age 12 when he became sick and lost motor funtion and speech. I also don't think his problem was autism. But it's a good read even if it's not the story you're looking for.

[Florence]

Not nonfiction but maybe the reason I jump?
Or the diving bell and the butterfly?

[Becca]

In Two Worlds by Ido Kedar? Looks like it was published in 2018 - is that too recent?

[Daisy]

To clarify, the OP is looking for a novel. All of the works suggested so far, other than Kedar's, are nonfiction.

[Christopher]

@Becca, that's it! Thank you, so much! If you want, send me a message/friend request and I'll venmo you five bucks for coffee. If not, then take my thanks.