Autistic Student Earns Online Admiration for Graduating as Summa Cum Laude
An autistic student earns online admiration after graduating as a summa cum laude at De La Salle University.
Juan Alfonzo “Japonz” Dacumos, a psychology graduate from De La Salle University (DLSU), made history after finishing his degree as summa cum laude.
Dacumos openly shared that he is autistic, something he only discovered in his late teens. Before that, his family chose not to make it public out of fear of discrimination. Growing up, he often feared being treated differently. But things began to change when he entered college.
At DLSU, he found a safe and accepting space where he wasn’t seen as less, but as someone with unique strengths. He was embraced by classmates, professors, and mentors who didn’t question his differences.
Instead, they encouraged him to thrive while fully embracing who he is. His diagnosis didn’t stop him, it shaped him. Through years of hard work and determination, he turned his challenges into strength.
The young man now aspires to become an autism researcher, hoping to help children like him who are still misunderstood or unsupported.
Japonz also points out the reality many Filipino children with autism face, from lack of awareness to the absence of support systems. He personally witnessed how society often boxes people like him into labels of limitation, especially when it comes to living independently or succeeding academically.
His success stands as proof that these beliefs are wrong. He graduated at the top of his class, not in spite of his condition, but while fully owning it. Now, he continues to fight for a better future for autistic children, where acceptance is normal, and support is constant.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
