8th Grader with Autism Wins School Spelling Bee

This week, one child with autism is in the spotlight. Not because of his disability, but because of his success. Now, his victory is teaching and inspiring others.

8th grader Michael Neumann is autistic, but the term is hardly enough to describe him.

Michael's mother watched nervously as he took part in Cleveland Jr. High spelling bee. Words don't necessarily come easy for Michael, but he sure knows how to spell them.

13-year-old Michael stole the competition with E-X-P-E-R-T-I-S-E, winning first place in the bee Thursday.

Another contestant, Onesimo Lara, said of Michael, "He spelled a lot of words right, like really fast, faster than anybody else."

"I think that's why we stay in the business, why teachers stay at what they're doing, when you see kids trying and being motivated," says special education teacher Barb Schweiger.

Michael's mother Jolene Longbehn says spelling has always been his thing. "With Mike's speech, when I couldn't understand him, I would have him spell a word for me."

Michael's success spelled out why no one should be defined in a single word.

"This was such a good feeling to know Mike was up there and won this."

Michael Neumann will now get a chance to compete in St. Paul's district-wide Spelling Bee on Feb. 21. He told one of his teachers, "It'll be a snap."