At six years old , most children can tell relatively linear stories, spell their first name, and can tell you how old they are (usually by holding up a few fingers, but still impressive nonetheless).
That’s all fine and well, but those accomplishments become significantly less impressive when you learn that at six years old, Joshua Beckford was attending Oxford University where he took courses in philosophy and history — bit of a step-up compared to the first grade lessons the rest of us were fidgeting through at that age.
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So yeah, suddenly it doesn’t seem so noteworthy to let your Facebook friends know little Lucy can spell the word “orange”.
Joshua, who lives with high-functioning autism in Britain, has never been a typical little boy.
According to Upworthy , by age three he could already read fluently using phonics, speak Japanese, and he even taught himself how to touch-type on a computer, all before he even knew how to write.
When he was four, he used his father’s complex surgeon simulator computer program to complete successful operations on “patients.”
Around 2011, Joshua’s father, Knox Daniel, heard about a prestigious program at Oxford University.
As per the program, children between the ages of eight and thirteen would gain admission to study at famous institution. However, Joshua was six years old and didn’t meet the age requirement to be admitted.
But thanks to one compelling letter from his father, the young boy was given the opportunity to enroll, officially becoming the youngest person to ever attend the university.
Unsurprisingly, Joshua managed to pass his university-level courses with distinction and received a letter of excellence.
Now 13, the gifted scholar dreams of one day becoming a neurosurgeon, and was just recently listed in the top 30 most remarkable people in the world with Autism who have impacted society.
When he isn’t busy studying and challenging his impressive mind, Joshua serves as the face of the National Autistic Society’s Black and Minority (BME) campaign.
He helps spread the organization’s mission of highlighting the obstacles black individuals face to not only be diagnosed with autism, but to then receive subsequent support and services.
Joshua also raises funds for three autism charities, two in the U.K. and one in Africa.
According to his father, he still faces all the challenges that comes with being a high-functioning person with autism.
“He doesn’t like loud noises and always walks on his tip toes and he always eats from the same plate, using the same cutlery, and drinks from the same cup,” Knox said.
But, he added, he’s very proud of his son’s achievements and sees a very bright future ahead of Joshua.
h/t: Upworthy , Face2FaceAfrica
