Doctors said Alec would never speak. Now, he's recording a song for the first time

When he was two, Alec Baldwin was diagnosed with autism. His mother, Tanis, was told that he would be non-verbal — that the most he would be able to communicate would be to point at pictures in a book to tell her what he wanted. 

"I remember looking at the guy who told me that and thinking: No," said Tanis.

Even though she was given few supports, Tanis was determined to learn about autism and felt an urgent need to support her son in any way possible. In her research, she read that singing might help with speech development in children. 

So, every night, Tanis would sing a simple song to Alec at bedtime. She hoped he would chime in and join her. 

"We sang a little song that went: 'Mommy and daddy love Alec, mommy and daddy love Alec, mommy and daddy love Alec, mommy and daddy love—,' and I left the last word blank. Night after night I'd wait, and he didn't say it." 

"And then one day he said in this sweet little voice 'Alec'." 

That moment began years of work for Alec and Tanis, on both speech and singing. Now, as a young man, Alec is able to speak well. 

But he's able to sing even better. 

Now or Never was with Alec as he recorded a song for the very first time. Watch the video above to see the moment — and hear his incredible voice — for yourself. 

This article originally appeared in Now or Never. Click here to listen to the interview.