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American Morning
Autistic Teen Discusses Being High School Valedictorian
Aired June 13, 2001 - 11:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Lee Alderman, an autistic teen, was the valedictorian at yesterday's Cardoza Senior High School graduation, here in the District of Columbia.
Kevin Schultze of CNN affiliate WJLA has his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEVIN SCHULTZE, WJLA REPORTER (voice-over): In the shadow of Cardoza High School, in a low-income neighborhood of northwest D.C., Lee Alderman has a mild case of autism. He's also the first special education student in our area to graduate as valedictorian of his public high school.
LEE ALDERMAN, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE: Probably very good feet. I didn't really expect this much attention.
SCHULTZE: The symptoms of autism can include unresponsiveness to people, impaired speech, repetitive behavior patterns, self- destructive behavior, and delayed mental and social skills.
As Lee grew up, his family and teachers saw potential. He could read by age four. At a private school in Virginia, he was scoring mostly A's. His mother worried the teachers weren't challenging him enough, so two years ago, she transferred him to the public high school around corner from their house, Cardoza.
REGINALD BALLARD, CARDOZA HIGH SCHOOL: When he came here, he was placed into honors classes, and from honors classes, he moved into advanced placement. He's been a top student in all of those classes since he's been here.
HAZEL ROBINSON, VALEDICTORIAN'S MOTHER: I'm just proud that he made it, that he can show people that of special education students, a lot can have potential.
ALDERMAN: I knew it was a struggle. When I think of myself, I wouldn't think of myself as someone with autism or somebody with any kind of disorder.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: Lee Alderman joins me here in the studio this morning.
Congratulations.
You gave a speech yesterday to your classmates at Cardoza Senior High School. What did you say?
ALDERMAN: I mainly said about what I thought about when I first came to Carzoza and how students and staff had changed my perception.
MESERVE: How did they change your perception?
ALDERMAN: They were more accepting, and they didn't ostracize me. The bullying was not as serious as I thought.
MESERVE: Was it hard academically for you at the high school?
ALDERMAN: Well, initially, when I first entered the advance placement courses, I didn't think I would be able to do the work assigned to me.
MESERVE: But obviously, you did: You had good grade point average when you graduated, didn't you?
ALDERMAN: Yes, it was 3.91.
MESERVE: And I hear the only time you didn't get A's was when you forget to do your assignments -- is that right?
ALDERMAN: When I didn't do my assignments.
MESERVE: Apparently, that didn't happen very often to you.
ALDERMAN: No.
MESERVE: Did you in your speech yesterday give your high school classmates some principles that you think should guide them, that they should live by?
ALDERMAN: Well, I said they should use some of the same principles, such as motivation, perseverance and unity. Some of those principles can help a person later in life.
MESERVE: What were your favorite subjects when you were studying?
ALDERMAN: I like to study math, science, some English -- but just math and science.
MESERVE: And now it's on to college. Where are you going to be going to school?
ALDERMAN: I have a full scholarship to St. Mary's College of Maryland, in St. Mary's City.
MESERVE: What are you going to study there, Lee?
ALDERMAN: I'll probably study chemistry. MESERVE: Great. Lee Alderman, thank you so much for joining us today. Congratulations on your graduation and for being number one in your class.
ALDERMAN: Thank you.
MESERVE: That's terrific.
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