Miss Montana Makes History as First Autistic Miss America Contestant She is the first contestant with autism. And the youngest contestant. And she's not letting any of it keep her from her dream. In a competition filled with smiles, struts and sass, the reigning miss montana looks like she fits right in. Holy crap. I'm going to be on miss america. Reporter: But fitting in has never been easy for 18-year-old alexis wineman. Growing up, I was alone a lot. I barely hung out with anyone. And that's because I was afraid of being laughed at. Reporter: She is the first miss america contestant to be diagnosed with autism, which was discovered when she was just 11 years old. I would stay in my room for hours, not wanting to talk to anyone. Reporter: Even though she was considered highly functioning, she said she was ridiculed because of her speech impediment and intense shyness. The girl you're seeing right now, is not the same girl you would have seen ten years ago. I've overcome so many of my symptoms. Reporter: She credits her family with enabling her to become comfortable in her own skin. That new attitude allowed her to try new things, like cross country running, and cheerleading, where she became the captain of the team her senior year. Events like this may appear a world away. But like everything else in her life, alexis never considered them out of reach. So, she decided to enter the miss montana stage competition on a whim. I realize, I've done a lot of things I never thought I could do. What's stopping me fro trying? Reporter: And now, here she is in las vegas, ready to compete with the best of them. All of the confusion kind-made me hungry. Reporter: Her talent, a comedy routine. I realize, if I laugh at myself, then that's okay. Alexis wineman. Reporter: No matter what happens tomorrow night, alexis knows just by competing, she is inspiring others. A girl who has a few differences is miss america material, no matter what they