Ten-year-old Kaylee Rodgers of Northern Ireland has always struggled to communicate effectively.
When she started elementary school, Kaylee "wouldn't really talk, wouldn’t really read out in class," Mashable reports.
Now, she's standing at the front of her school's choir, singing the lead vocals to a large audience. Kaylee attends Killard House School, where they recently had their holiday concert.
Kaylee did a solo performance of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," and people were more than impressed with her vocal skills. Kaylee's talent is incredible for any 10-year-old, but it's even more impressive when you learn that she suffers from autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Kaylee's principal, Colin Millar, explained that for Kaylee "to stand and perform in front of an audience is amazing. It takes a lot of effort on Kaylee’s part."
According to Autism Speaks, "Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors."
On top of her autism, Kaylee also has ADHD, which often includes symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
For Kaylee to stand in front of a crowd and sing is truly amazing — you would never know from watching and listening to her that Kaylee struggles at all.
People who have watched the video have had overwhelmingly positive comments.
One person wrote, "Wow, what a great voice. She really suited the song too," and another said, "What an amazing rendition. Her voice is stunning and the wee singers in the choir sounded beautiful too."
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[H/T: Mashable]
