Having Asperger's meant he didn't know how to talk to people and had trouble making friends. He had difficulties understanding the nuances in body language and was overly sensitive to loud noises.

But on Monday at the Marysville Arts and Technology High School in Washington State, Chance Mair graduated with the 50 seniors in his class, as the class valedictorian.

In his valedictorian address–a momentous occasion for a student who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at an early age–he said:

Wherever our individual paths take us, there will be challenges. There will be people and circumstances that say, ‘No we can't.' It's up to us to decide whether or not we listen to them.

(READ the full story, w/ photos, in the Seattle Times) – Story tip from Judy Ritchie