Do you see what happens when you don't give up and when you don't let your disability become a crutch? Things like THIS happen! This is a HUGE milestone not only to this man, but a big +1 to the autistic community! We need to teach ourselves that we can achieve great things REGARDLESS of our disabilities and limitations! Don't make your disability a reason to stop trying! Make it your greatest weapon!

-Jaylon

P.S. If you want to know more about my struggle and how this page came to be, please check out "Autism: In My Own Words" in the "Shop" tab!

High School Senior with Autism Graduates with 4.0 GPA; Class Valedictorian

(June 16, 2014) -- Montel Medley, a 17-year-old with autism recently graduated from Surrattsville High School in Clinton, Maryland, with a 4.0 GPA and as his classes valedictorian. Montel during his valedictorian speech discussed some of the challenges he dealt with growing up including being nonverbal till he was 3 years-old.

Montel said during his valedictorian speech, “Having a disability doesn’t mean you have a disadvantage. Sometimes it can be an advantage.” Roberta Medley, Montel’s mother said on his graduation, “I dedicated a great part

of my life to see that he flourished. I worked with him a great deal to make him the person that he is now.”