Here she is, Miss America's first autistic contestant

When Miss Montana Alexis Wineman puts on her evening gown and walks onto the Miss America competition stage on Saturday, she'll do so not just as this year's youngest contestant (she's 18), but also as its first-ever contestant with autism. Diagnosed at 11, Wineman says she has "very mild symptoms," including melting down in stressful situations, occasional difficulty communicating and taking things literally. But she says these things are now a part of who she is and hopes her pageant appearance will help raise awareness for others coping with autism. [Source]

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