Another Potential Star with Autism Emerges

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James Hobley

In what seems to be an emerging trend in reality TV competitions, another
potential star with autism has been born from the fifth installment of Britain’s
Got Talent. Eleven-year-old James Hobley appeared last night from Manchester,
England and blew judges away with a dance routine that would have made Mikhail Baryshnikov
proud. 

Hobley, who admitted to being homeschooled and having autism, received rave
reviews from judges Amanda Holden, David Hasselhoff and Michael McIntyre, all of
whom gave him the thumbs up and advanced him to the next round.

It was just a few years ago that James could barely walk, let alone dance. He
was fitted with special orthopedic boots and splints because of excessive tiptoe
walking (a common symptom of children with autism). However, Hobley overcame his
physical challenges and attributed his dancing to making that happen. He was
even quoted as saying, "When I started dancing, my tendons just got looser and looser until I never had to wear
[the braces] any more."

Appearing in a taped portion of Britain’s Got Talent, Hobley wowed the
audience and judges, once again proving that there is no limitation to what
those with autism can accomplish.

Britain’s Got Talent, which has produced stars such as Susan Boyle and Paul
Potts, is currently in progress and while James may not win the entire
competition, he has certainly come farther than anyone could have imagined just
a few short years ago.