Miss America being won by an autistic contestant is a very real possibility as Alexis Wineman contends for the crown. The Miss Montana contestant is also the youngest to compete for the pageant title at the age of 18, according to FOX News Jan. 10.
"Most people do not understand what autism is," Wineman says in her Miss America video. "And one in 88 people having some form of autism -- this understanding is becoming more and more necessary."
Alexis was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when she was 11. She admits to taking things a bit too literally sometimes and still struggles with communication. Her symptoms are mild and her condition is high functioning. The Miss America contestant also knows being autistic is a part of who she is and values that.
Alexis wants to bring awareness to autism as a contestant and if she wins the Miss America title.
"We cannot cure what is not a sickness," Miss Montana adds in her video. "But we can begin to understand autism, and help those with the condition to unlock the potential that lies within all of us."
Even without winning the coveted beauty queen title Saturday night, Alexis Wineman, will be a great representative for all autistic individuals.
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