The new cast of America's Next Top Model 9 includes insecure girls, overly-confident girls, girls who will be labeled the beeyatches -- just the usual mix of colorful personalities. But there was one girl who stood out for me during last night's premiere episode. Her name is Heather and she revealed that she suffers from a form of autism called Asperger Syndrome. According to About.com's Autism guide, "Asperger Syndrome is at the high end of the autism spectrum. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome may be very bright and capable, but may also have serious difficulties with social interaction, or have unusually low tolerance for loud noise, bright lights, crowds, etc." It will be interesting to see if the 21-year-old college student's difficulties will affect her performance in the competition or her relationship with the other girls. Click here to learn more about Asperger Syndrome.
And while we're discussing the new Top Model wannabes, what do you think about the 13 finalists? Are they hot or not? Sound off on each girl in the photo gallery polls.
Comments
I hope she wins. Congrats kid. It must have been hard.
She is very very brave to be on national tv and to also subject herself to being in a house with a bunch of girls. Asperger Syndrome causes social skill deficits and people with this are very much misunderstood. Hope she wins!
hope she wins couse will help her delf-estime.
my son has the same problem and sometimes is very hard for them.