article: an update on Andrew

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ANDREW'S AN OBI-WAN KNOW ALL
May 19 2005
Star Wars kid's a mastermind
By Lee-Ann Fullerton

AN autistic schoolboy has reached the final of Junior Mastermind.

Andrew Cowan, who has a form of the condition called Asperger's syndrome, won his heat, shown last night on BBC1, by a single point.

The 11-year-old chose Star Wars as his specialist subject.

He correctly answered 16 questions on the blockbuster movie series, plus eight more in the general knowledge round.

The show's host John Humphrys gave Andrew a chance to speak up for others with his condition.

When Andrew, of Cathcart, Glasgow, sat down in the famous black leather chair, the presenter said: 'You have a special reason for coming here on to the show, don't you?'

The Mount Florida Primary School pupil replied: 'Yes, I have got Asperger's syndrome. People think we are stupid and should be in an institution.

'I'm trying to prove we are not stupid.'

Asperger's syndrome affects around one in 200 people.

It is a high-functioning form of autism and sufferers find it hard to cope with noise, stress and change.

However, they are adept at memorising tables and facts and normally have a high IQ.

Andrew fought for the right to compete in the show to highlight his condition.

He said: 'I wanted to show that people like me can live a normal life and also that we're not what people think. It is a blessing for me, not a curse.'

Andrew was only diagnosed with Asperger's in July last year.

His mum Carole, 44, said she knew he was different from an early age - he could memorise car names at the age of twoBut it took years to get doctors to recognise his condition.

He entered the competition with classmates without telling his mum and faced a series of rigorous auditions.

He was quizzed on Egypt and The Simpsons - and impressed producers when he corrected them on mistakes in questions.

Andrew missed his TV debut last night as he was on holiday in Ibiza with his family.

The final is on BBC1 at 5.30pmon Saturday