0:00:04 > 0:00:08Cameron Thompson is 13 and he's been a maths genius for as long as he can remember.
0:00:08 > 0:00:14100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%...
0:00:14 > 0:00:18I can't be bothered saying the rest. There's too many!
0:00:18 > 0:00:23At age ten, he sat an online maths test.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28141 out of 140, I broke the system. I think I did well(!)
0:00:28 > 0:00:34At 11, he rattled through two GCSEs in maths and additional maths.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39On regular maths - A star, A star!
0:00:39 > 0:00:45Additional maths, which was for the very talented year 11s, A star, A star!
0:00:45 > 0:00:49And that same year he passed his A-level with flying colours.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Yes, did it, and aced it. Ace!
0:00:53 > 0:00:58But his passion for maths has meant other normal childhood pursuits have taken a backseat,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and being brilliant at maths has become his entire identity.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06It made me feel really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really glad
0:01:06 > 0:01:09to know there was something I was good at
0:01:09 > 0:01:14because I wasn't sure what my life's calling was then.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18But now, for the first time, he's no longer getting 100%.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23He's in the middle of an Open University degree and he's struggling.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25I don't want to do it.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30And he's just been told he's got Asperger's syndrome.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Oh, seems like an explanation for the fact I'm such a loser.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Everyone wants Cameron to be happy.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Most people my age do despise me.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46I've been like this for years. I'm used to being ignored.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50But with a new house and a new school to deal with,
0:01:50 > 0:01:55just as he's hitting his teenage years, the burning question is how?
0:01:55 > 0:01:59I have the social ability of a talking potato.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03These are the growing pains of a teenage genius.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Wrong corridor.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24Cameron lives in Wrexham in North Wales, in the suburb of Acton.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- Dalek.- Yes?- Speak.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- My vision is impaired, I cannot see.- Wrong one!
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Do what the manual says you should, lazy thing.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Dalek, obey me.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Does not compute.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44He lives with his parents and his two younger sisters -
0:02:44 > 0:02:47ten-year-old Beth, and Emma, 11.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Cameron, he's really good at maths but not some other subjects
0:02:53 > 0:02:55and I'm good at the other subjects.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57What subjects are you good at?
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Art...
0:02:59 > 0:03:01and Cameron hates art.
0:03:01 > 0:03:07I despise art in all its entity. I'm bad at it and it's illogical.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13What's the actual meaning in art? What actually backs art up? Hmm?
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Not best balance in these boots.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20His mum, Alison, teaches karate
0:03:20 > 0:03:22and runs a karate academy with dad, Rod.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28They met 17 years ago, back home in Ireland.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36And although Rod is a computer scientist,
0:03:36 > 0:03:41for some years now, Cameron's maths has been way beyond him.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- What's an ellipseid?- Ellipsoid.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47But, as Cameron gets further into his degree,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51he's finding the maths harder, and his grades are slipping.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54He's got a 76 for the first one and a 72 for the second one.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56In per cent, that's actually kind of low for me.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Because you're expected to explain things and you're not doing it.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- I'm trying!- I know that.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07Cameron's mum and dad suspect his problem with explaining things
0:04:07 > 0:04:10is linked to his Asperger's syndrome...
0:04:11 > 0:04:18..a type of autism that can occasionally combine great mental prowess with communication problems.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Shut up, you little sound machine.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Cameron sees these quadratic equations and things
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I don't even know the names for,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30and he just sees the answer at the end.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35His main problem is giving logical reasons, steps for why that's the answer
0:04:35 > 0:04:39because sometimes I don't think he even necessarily knows. It just IS.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Plenty of people with Asperger's are very intelligent,
0:04:42 > 0:04:48high achievers, people like Einstein and Newton.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51They were supposed Asperger's.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02- My legs hurt. Crack, snap, crack. - Come on!
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Cameron's recent low grades in his maths degree have been worrying him
0:05:06 > 0:05:08and his mum and dad want to help.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Does this look like Venice?
0:05:11 > 0:05:16His mum, Alison, has brought him to Trinity College, Cambridge.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- Is he travelling sideways? - Yes, he appears to be. I don't know if that's intentional or not.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Academic.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26I'm very excited and it looks a bit tall.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29This is where many of the brilliant maths kids go to university
0:05:29 > 0:05:33and Cameron is meeting eminent maths fellow, Professor Imre Leader.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37- I'm planning for a degree at 16. - Have you started?
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Yes, I've already got a certificate of mathematics.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45Professor Leader will be assessing Cameron as he would any prospective Cambridge entrant.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49He wants to see how Cameron thinks.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- Right, so you've been doing some Open University stuff?- Yes.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56How much have you been doing? An hour a day, or just at the weekend?
0:05:56 > 0:06:01- Er, more than an hour a day.- All right, I'll ask you a question.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07So, you've got a row of coins, lots of coins, 1,000 coins.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14- They're all heads up. - OK.- From one, two, up to 1,000.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19And...I go along and every second coin I turn over.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- So the second, the fourth, the sixth, I turn them all over back to tails.- Yes.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29Then, I take every third coin, so coins number three, six, nine and so on
0:06:29 > 0:06:31and I turn them all over.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- So I guess coin number six is now back to being heads.- Yes.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37And so on and so on and so on,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41until eventually I turn over every 1000th coin, ie, the last coin.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46Here's the question which coins are heads up?
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- The prime numbers.- Why is that?
0:06:50 > 0:06:56Because they aren't multiples of anything else other than themselves and, well, one.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01- So the ones turned to heads... - The heads up will be the non-primes?
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Non-primes?
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- Or will they?- Or will they? - Let's see.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11All of them would be definitely tails down.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Hmmm.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16We ask them questions which aren't standard,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19they're not rote questions, they can't be taught for.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21We see how they cope with the questions.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Thinking questions,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27not boring A-level-type rubbish rote questions.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29We ask thinking questions and see how they cope.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33This is getting complicated. The square numbers?
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Why the square numbers?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Because they'll be turned on to tails
0:07:39 > 0:07:43when they get done by their single factor
0:07:43 > 0:07:48and then, when they reach themselves, they'll be turned up again.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Some people who are fabulous at doing the A-level stuff
0:07:52 > 0:07:55but can't think at all so they'll be hopeless for Cambridge.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Other people, who are a bit sloppy at A-levels, but my goodness they can really think.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Where did Cameron fall into that? - He's definitely a thinker.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- Do it yourself then?- Yes. - Made you think?- Yes.- Yes.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Did you give him a longer answer than yes?
0:08:15 > 0:08:17No! THEY LAUGH
0:08:17 > 0:08:20He clearly is a bright, lovely, and a thinking kid,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23but he's so young that it's very important he develops the thinking way
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and he mustn't just do more and more courses.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30He needs to get some enrichment going.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37But Cameron is used to proof of how clever he is.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Certificates and full marks on everything.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46On this assignment - 100%, 100%, 95%...
0:08:46 > 0:08:51Slowing down his academic achievements isn't part of his plan.
0:08:51 > 0:08:58It's Cameron, not his parents, that drives this ambition to succeed.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00What happens, according to you,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03if you don't get 100% in one of your maths assignments?
0:09:03 > 0:09:09- Err...In short I end up as a hillbill?- In long?
0:09:09 > 0:09:15Er...I end up failing the degree, I end up going for an easy job,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I end up getting depressed because the easy job is too easy,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22I end up losing every job I get, I end up eating out of bins.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28- Fair enough.- I've gone out of that, and that's if I get below 70%.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33- OK, fair enough. Off you go. - I'm still not happy about anything below 80.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41As well as stressing about his grades,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Cameron has a new pressure to contend with.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48The family have just been told they've got to move.
0:09:48 > 0:09:56We've lived here for about two years, but our lease has ended, the landlord wants us to go.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00So we've picked a new house, we got the stuff out of the space,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02and we have to find somewhere to put it.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Mum and Dad are keen collectors and throw nothing away.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20They're moving quickly, as change is unsettling for kids with autism,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23and Cameron's younger sister Emma is also on the autistic spectrum,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26but in a very different way to her brother.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Emma doesn't speak and has learning difficulties.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37She seems to be smarter than some people think.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41She's better than me at swimming,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45and she's almost better than me at swings.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50There's three kids, three parts of the education system -
0:10:50 > 0:10:54one primary, one high school and university, and one special school.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57You just deal with it and work it out.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Dad's found a house five miles away in the rural village of Rossett.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Why, you little...!
0:11:12 > 0:11:14I don't like walking backwards
0:11:14 > 0:11:17up a set of stairs that I'm not even completely used to.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21Let's see. Bed, cabinet, other bed, shelves.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25I think the chest of drawers might be going there.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Erm, desk.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31That chest of drawers. Er, wardrobe, if I'm right.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34He never likes moving house, I mean nobody does,
0:11:34 > 0:11:40but I think it sort of accentuates, slightly, his extremes.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46I can't take much more of this, I'm exhausted.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Despite the stress, the move could have an upside.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55New friends, new house, a nice park.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56New places...
0:11:56 > 0:12:02We still have the shop next to us, and it's going to be a completely fresh start.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06But a fresh start for Cameron isn't so straightforward.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11A characteristic of Asperger's is a difficulty making friends.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14I've got three main friends at school
0:12:14 > 0:12:17and one friend outside of school that I've kept for ages.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22The one outside of school, I rarely see him face-to-face, haven't for over a year,
0:12:22 > 0:12:28but still keep in contact through World of Warcraft and Facebook.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Cameron wants to make friends in the real world.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36A new neighbourhood could mean new friends.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40That's close enough to a ball swing.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I'm Cameron Thompson, "Sir Maths".
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I'm kind of a maths genius, I'm doing a degree in maths.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- I've already done maths GCSEs, two of them, and maths A-level.- Nice.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56And my certificate of mathematics was a distinction.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01I'll have a degree when I'm 16.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Sometimes tact, I think it kind of goes right over his head.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- He's got no tact?- Often, no.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Or you could have 3.5789 x 10 to the 20.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15You can't go beyond 10 to the 99.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Naive would be the best word for it. - That's quite sweet, isn't it?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21It is, and he's a brilliant kid.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24He couldn't do enough for anybody.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Let's see, we've got two Sky plus HD boxes, a Sky plus box
0:13:28 > 0:13:32and two Sky regular boxes, and we have a 50-inch TV in the living room.
0:13:32 > 0:13:38- Our old house had a Jacuzzi in it and five bedrooms.- Nice.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43At the same time as sometimes he's oblivious, he's also very sensitive as well.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Do you know what age you are?
0:13:45 > 0:13:50- Reading age? 16 plus.- Mine's 12.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- Pardon?- I'm not joking.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55BOYS LAUGH
0:13:55 > 0:14:00- See you, got to go.- See you. - Seem like nice guys.
0:14:03 > 0:14:10- Next morning, it's back to school after a few days off to move house. - Cameron! Up you get!
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- Time to get up!- Cameron's sisters both have schools to go to,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17but Rod's decided Cameron should go to a new one.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Right, OK, where are we now?
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Today, today, today... What will we do today?
0:14:27 > 0:14:34Unhappy at his old school, this could give Cameron the chance to establish a whole new social life.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Point the tap at the basin.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Head! You're being so patient, yes you are.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It gives me a chance to start again.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48I could work my way up the social ladder instead of just staying at the bottom.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54If I can make it to the middle, I'm less likely to be bullied there.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Certainly not physically.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00You can't go to school without shoes.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01Or car keys.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Until Rod and Alison find him a new school,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Cameron will be working on his maths degree at home.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11His needs are very unique and that's the issue that we have.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17Cameron is 13. He did two of his GCSEs when he was 11, he did his AS-level at 12,
0:15:17 > 0:15:22his A-level at 12, a university certificate of maths at 13.
0:15:22 > 0:15:28He's got "Cert Maths" after his name and he's well on his way to doing his honours degree at the minute.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32What we're looking for in a school isn't probably what people are normally looking for.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36I think he'll succeed academically wherever he is because he clearly is very gifted.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41We need to give him a good balance, we need to cater for his emotional needs and his social needs,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45and really sort of develop a broad range of skills.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Quite where we go when he hits GCSE year
0:15:48 > 0:15:54and he turns up with an honours degree is a strange one, but, erm...
0:15:54 > 0:16:00So far, none of the local schools feel they have the resources to cope with a maths genius.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05The start of the...
0:16:05 > 0:16:10In the meantime, Cameron is left to his own devices to get on with his degree.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15But it's becoming a struggle, and Cameron is confused as to why.
0:16:15 > 0:16:22- So just explain it to me. - Basically, hold a piece of paper a distance from the light bulb,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27move the distance until the spot of oil looks the same - what is it?
0:16:32 > 0:16:36See, that's the problem. I don't know how to explain it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I just don't see how another person thinks.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42I don't see how they can't understand something
0:16:42 > 0:16:45when I've explained it in my own way.
0:16:45 > 0:16:51Apparently a symptom of Asperger's is not twigging to social cues
0:16:51 > 0:16:56or not understanding how other people think, that kind of thing.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Alison Thompson. Thank you.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Cameron's parents are up early trying to find a school.
0:17:04 > 0:17:10My husband left a message for him and he was told the headmaster would call him back.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12I'd like to meet him today.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17We were looking for ideally to meet him today, if that's at all possible.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34They're snowed under because it's the first day back.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40A letter arrives from a school to which Cameron's parents have applied for a place.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Keep still!
0:17:42 > 0:17:46So "changing schools is a major upheaval..." You don't say!
0:17:46 > 0:17:48So is moving house!
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Yeah, nobody bans you from doing that.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55"We'll not be able to offer any more than the main, don't have many resources,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59"or as many resources... You should you remain where you are."
0:18:06 > 0:18:11They gave a letter basically saying they don't want me.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Their loss!
0:18:13 > 0:18:15This is what it's like, you know.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Everybody has got their own little job.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22If you don't fit nicely into their little box, you get bounced around.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Nobody quite knows what anybody else is up to.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28But, you know, you talk to the right people, you usually get somewhere.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Keep trying to wait for people to ring us back and everybody is busy
0:18:38 > 0:18:41so nobody ever does, and you can't get anybody to answer the phone.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45If you get through one level of voicemail, you hit the next one.
0:18:45 > 0:18:51So yes, we're being very busy waiting for other people to hurry up and do something!
0:18:51 > 0:18:56The past few days have been tough for Cameron.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I felt sick this morning.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- OK?- Yes. - Why are you panicking?
0:19:21 > 0:19:26I'm stressed about moving, still constantly, despite the fact of how we're doing.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31- We're doing OK. - I know. I'm still stressed.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- Night, monkeys.- Night.
0:19:39 > 0:19:46Alison receives a call. There's a school nearby that might have a place.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- We're going to go to the school, yes?- Yes.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- Are you looking forward to it?- Yes. - Looking round the new place.- Yes.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- We'll see what you think, we'll see what we think, and we'll see what they think of us.- Yes.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- Next morning...- Hoodie boy, gone. - How could you?
0:20:06 > 0:20:12- We're looking for smart, but casual. - We're looking for gifted, not weird.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17- Why not both?- What shoes are you wearing?
0:20:17 > 0:20:20The only pair that fit.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- We need to get there two minutes ago!- All right!
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- Have we got the address programmed in?- Let Dad drive, he can make it there two minutes ago.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34Darland School seems like a perfect fit.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Woah, this corridor's...
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Not only is it nearby, it also has a centre that specialises
0:20:40 > 0:20:43in looking after kids who are on the autistic spectrum.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- All I can say to you is... - That's neat.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53The centre is run by Mrs Moore.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Hand-in-hand with that fantastic brain of yours,
0:20:57 > 0:21:01you need to be able to deal with these quirky things called human beings.
0:21:01 > 0:21:08What we could offer you is a chance to learn how to make friends.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- That's a good thing to do, isn't it? - The how to make friends, I need.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Usually I end up with a group of three of them.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21Darland seems like a very good school for me.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24She said about helping me with my social skills.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28I'll be among other kids with Asperger's, on the same course.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32And that sounds like it will be helpful.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34TELEPHONE RINGS
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- Hello?- The following day...
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Oh, brilliant! - Cameron's got a place at Darland.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- He's getting the fresh start he's been looking for.- Hello.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50School's going to be fun today.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55Hopefully I'll make a decent first impression.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58I want to start by getting a decent amount of friends,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01unlike normal. But, what you going to do?
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Right, come on.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Sorry, no new shoes!- Seriously?
0:22:09 > 0:22:12How do you feel about your new school?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14This is going to be epic! Epic!
0:22:15 > 0:22:17I'd better not hold hands with you, had I?
0:22:17 > 0:22:21He goes off, and he's so full of hope, and this is going to be great.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- He goes off so bouncy.- I took Mum's fashion advice top button undone.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31It isn't nice to see it when he gets knocked down and I just hope that it's going to...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I mean, life isn't a bowl of cherries, as my dad always said!
0:22:34 > 0:22:36And it doesn't work out.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Do you want to sit there, then you're in your space.
0:22:39 > 0:22:45- OK, and I'm just visiting you. - Cameron gets his new uniform.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49And in the centre, he gets his own area, which will be his for the rest of the year.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52They've got a desk for him and they got all the other kids
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- to put welcome notes all round his desk.- Aw, that's lovely!
0:22:55 > 0:23:01We'll leave him to get on with it and not be embarrassing parents, hanging around on him.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05We're going to start off with art. What are your artistic skills like?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Can you draw? Can you paint?
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- Are you creative? - No, no, no, and no.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Instead of being taught maths by the school,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Cameron will work on his degree within the safety of the unit,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18where kids on the autistic spectrum find refuge from the playground.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- Maths, I'll be coming here? - That's right.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- You're here on your OU stuff. I think you'll enjoy it. - I'm interested in history.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I've noticed how history seems to repeat itself all the time.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Like Hitler, going into Russia near the winter.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Like he didn't learn from Napoleon.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37That's right, he should have learnt his lesson. But they never do.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41History's constantly repeating itself and we constantly go to war.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44The only difference every time is more advanced technology.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Before the other pupils arrive,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Mrs Moore wants to show Cameron around the school to settle him in.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Usually, you are only allowed to go up these stairs.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55What's going to change, when you're with your form class?
0:23:55 > 0:24:00- It's probably going to get a bit noisier.- A bit noisier, spot on.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- I can just imagine the sound of clicking.- Clicking!
0:24:04 > 0:24:08"OK, students, now go to this website." Click, click...
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- What do you think the other noise could be?- Talking.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15"I don't understand this, I'm stuck."
0:24:15 > 0:24:17People who aren't quite as good as you.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- Are you going to be able to cope with that?- Yes.- Good. Well done.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I do feel cleverer than other people a lot of the time.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28What's it like living with that? I don't know what that's like.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It's just awkward. I try to just be me.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34The thing is, you see, from my point of view as your teacher,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38it's you being you, but it's you being you with people around you.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41I'd like to think that you could go to the cinema, or the theatre,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45or walk down a street and feel OK. I mean, do you go into town on your own?
0:24:45 > 0:24:51Actually, no. I don't meet my friends in person, besides school.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Right, so school's got to... you've got to really try
0:24:54 > 0:24:56and get that skill level up.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- Yes.- OK. And that's a lovely smile. Right, come on, let's go.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04I can just imagine, teacher says, "Do not press this button."
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Next thing, half the computer explodes.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09You have such understanding, young man.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Mrs Moore wants Cameron to meet Tim,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16another pupil with Asperger's with whom she thinks he'll get along.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Do you want to sit there? Sometimes you're allowed to sit there at break, aren't you?
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Tim is teaching Cameron the laws of the playground.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Nothing in this direction.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29There's a bus park where Year 11s and idiots hang out.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Near to that, there's the sports hall.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36And then there's a load of grass. Grass, grass, grass. A field.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Then the tennis courts, which is the Year 10 yard.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40The hard part's on the yard because...
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- CAMERON SNEEZES - Oh, are you OK?
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- Sunlight makes me sneeze.- Mm.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47As I've said, there are quite a few idiots.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50I mean, half the girls have no standards.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I mean, they're all obsessed with Bieber.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55No wonder I can't get a girlfriend cos of that Bieber.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58I mean, they listen to Bieber.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- Who in their right mind listens to Bieber?- I know.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05If nobody listened to Bieber, he'd die of...
0:26:05 > 0:26:09The funny thing is, my little brother listens to Bieber.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12He's obsessed with that, # Baby, baby, baby, oh... #
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- Kill him.- I want to.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Kill Bieber!- Exactly.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19CAMERON MAKES SOUND EFFECTS
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- What are you doing?- Grenading. - What are you doing?- Sound effects.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25HE MAKES SOUND EFFECTS
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- Have you seen Bieber gets hit by a bottle?- Oh, yeah, that was funny.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- Oh, there's... Ha. Oh. - He deserved it.- Exactly!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39He's torturing us with his music.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41We'll probably be good friends for quite a while.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Yeah, I've managed to keep a previous friend for like four-ish years.
0:26:45 > 0:26:46Is it windy outside?
0:26:46 > 0:26:50It's amazing to have a new friend, because he's funny.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53He gets a gun out and every time he hears the word "Bieber",
0:26:53 > 0:26:55he goes, "Kill Bieber!"
0:26:55 > 0:26:59And then he also, as I mentioned, he likes the same computer games as me.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Go on the internet, multiplayer stuff,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and then you've got loads of people.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07The main thing that keeps us together is we both agree Bieber is an idiot.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Unfortunately, they've found...
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I've never met anybody like Cameron Thompson before.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15He's a very delightful, interesting young man.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17He's going to give us lots of challenges,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20because obviously we're operating a normal system here,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24but I think he's got a place. And at least he's got a friend.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Cameron has survived his first day at his new school.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Oi, Cam. We'll have to put you on the rack and stretch you.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- How was it?- Good. Awesome.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44I met a cool kid called Timothy.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47I call him Tim. He plays Command & Conquer games.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51But while the academic day is over for the other 13-year-olds,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Cameron has constant deadlines for his degree.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Cameron, I'm not doing it for you.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02On his last assignment, his explanations weren't clear
0:28:02 > 0:28:04and his marks suffered.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06It doesn't read nicely.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10So is that the value you obtained
0:28:10 > 0:28:12or is that the luminosity of the sun?
0:28:12 > 0:28:16- The value that I obtained. - It's not that clear.
0:28:16 > 0:28:22- Keep going.- No, I think that works fine.- That's abstract.- That's fine!
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Move on, write the next bit.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Mmm. Mmm.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31I'm not sure.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34It's a problem now affecting all of his work.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41He's panicking.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45- How is he?- Completely freaking out at the minute.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49He had an Open University assignment that was due to go in today
0:28:49 > 0:28:53and all the answers are there, but none of the explanations.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55He hasn't followed the structure of it.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59And Alison normally does a final check on them and we said,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02"But how does that happen?
0:29:02 > 0:29:06"You haven't said why, you haven't said how. You haven't said anything."
0:29:06 > 0:29:07He said, "But it just does."
0:29:07 > 0:29:10He dissolved into tears. Now he's completely panicking.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Why are you so panicked, Cameron?
0:29:20 > 0:29:24It's got to be sent in today and I don't know how to explain it.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29I need to make this first section count for 100 words
0:29:29 > 0:29:31and I've still got six more words to go
0:29:31 > 0:29:33and I can't think of anything to use.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45OK, Cameron, all you need to do is break it down, yeah?
0:29:45 > 0:29:49Don't panic about huge big blocks of it. It's in your head, isn't it?
0:29:49 > 0:29:53- Yeah.- Right, so out of there, onto there.- OK.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Cam, calm down. Cam...
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- Calm down. - CAM SOBS
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Do you feel sick?- Yes.- Stop.
0:30:04 > 0:30:05Come on, take a break.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Breathe out. Beth, toilet roll, hon.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Breathe in...and out. Come on.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- Slowly.- Cameron, I know this is important to you.- Yeah...
0:30:18 > 0:30:22But do you really think it's that important?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Do you think it's worth getting upset about?
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- I really want to do it.- It's OK.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- Slow it down.- Cameron, you don't have to do any of this.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Shh.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- How much sleep did you get last night?- Not much.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43- I couldn't get to sleep, I was worrying.- Oh, Cameron.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Cameron.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52- Do you know what happened to Daddy a few weeks ago?- What?
0:30:52 > 0:30:56I had to do something for work, yes? It was really, really important
0:30:56 > 0:31:02- and do you not remember Daddy sitting upstairs getting completely stressed out about it?- No.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05And I did it and I was really, really, late. Yeah?
0:31:05 > 0:31:06When I was stressed...
0:31:06 > 0:31:08HE CRIES
0:31:08 > 0:31:13- Shh... When I went back and looked at it...Cameron.- Yeah.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18It wasn't very good but when I left it and came back to it,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- I did a really, really good job in about half the time.- Yeah.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25How about World of Warcraft or Call Of Duty?
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Can I finish off the abstract first?
0:31:28 > 0:31:31That's worrying me a bit if it isn't done.
0:31:31 > 0:31:37- OK, you can finish off the abstract but, if you start crying, you're not allowed to.- OK.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Because if it upsets you, there's no point in doing it.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Even if you don't get it in tomorrow,
0:31:42 > 0:31:46you don't pass this course, what does that really mean?
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- I have to admit, I am 13.- Exactly.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50What does it mean?
0:31:53 > 0:31:55- Drop the course and try again, or something?- OK.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00So what's the worst, worst, worst that can happen?
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Not much.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- My head explodes? - What's the worst that can happen?
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- My head explodes from headache?- Yes.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09That ain't so bad.
0:32:09 > 0:32:10- Is it really that bad?- No.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14- Can you eat breakfast now?- Yes.- OK.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16- And, Cam.- Yeah?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- I'll take you to the sweet shop later.- OK.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Crisis averted.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30I am a bit worried about failing the OU.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Just am, despite the fact, technically, I shouldn't be doing it
0:32:34 > 0:32:39for more than five years, I'm still worried.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Theoretically, by age 16 you've got your degree,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- where does your life go now? - Then I go onto Masters.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- You're going to do a Masters at aged 16?- I'm planning.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54- Wow, so you've got a game plan for the rest of the next ten years?- Yes.
0:32:54 > 0:33:00What I'm concerned about is the part of you that has to deal with other people in the world,
0:33:00 > 0:33:04other human beings and people your age. You need friends as well, don't you?
0:33:04 > 0:33:07It's not enough just to have exam certificates, is it?
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- You need some sort of social life. - Yes.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15Over the next couple of days, Cameron gets down to some serious study.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17HE YAWNS
0:33:17 > 0:33:19He has to catch up.
0:33:21 > 0:33:26I'm not sure what exactly happened, I was doing the observational activities and woke up in bed.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27Mmm.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31He's working all hours.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38I am effectively, almost, by the end of tomorrow,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41caught up with mathematics!
0:33:48 > 0:33:54Hello, again, it's Sunday today and we've just finished.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59A big single button press to enter every assignment.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Two weeks later than planned, he's up-to-date.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Is it done?
0:34:08 > 0:34:12Cameron's juggling his degree work with school, and during the day he spends his time with Tim
0:34:12 > 0:34:15and their friendship has blossomed.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Sit down, boys, let's have a chat.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22Tim, can you manage to close the door? Thank you.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28- Right, Year Nine, how is it going, Cameron?- Good.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30- Are you enjoying it?- Yes.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34School is tough for most people but with a friend you can get through it.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38- Do you agree?- Just.- Just about, OK. Well, we're very pleased that...
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- In one way, it's torture.- Torture! School's always torture.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45I mean, I'm very pleased that you've got shared interests,
0:34:45 > 0:34:49you like each other and when it's social time, you've got somebody to talk to.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52- Do you agree?- Yes.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57I'm going to comment on the fact you said, to get through school, you need a friend. That's not true.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01In modern schools, you need an AK-47 with the things that are going on.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- That's not legal, is it, Tim? - And a flamethrower.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- It's not the way to get through life, is it?- No.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Then he'll be the new Osama Bin Laden. In fact, the new Al-Qaeda.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16Well, that's not the sort of future I see for you.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Tim will give you advice, you can give Tim advice.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Sometimes you lose control, don't you, Tim? You get cross.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Yesterday was sports day, so I was bit more stressed than usual.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28I mean, what's the point of it, anyway?
0:35:28 > 0:35:30All schools have sports days.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35Yes, because the curriculum which is made by a Conservative government which explains it.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39No, no, it always has been. Even Communist countries have sports days.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42This is something that happens in schools.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- You have to go with it, Tim.- Mmm.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47- All right.- Unfortunately.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51It's just all it provides is a temporary boost to self-esteem
0:35:51 > 0:35:56and fitness, both of which can also be earned through doing things in PE,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59but there's not much difference there.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Secondly, there's a lot of loud noise.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04I'm not really one for extremely loud noises.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07I always get a headache at the end of the day.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Thirdly, every time I tell people to be quiet, I have worms thrown at me.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17So, boys, what sort of challenges for the rest of Year Nine, because Year Ten...
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- Survive.- Wow, that's the right word. You need to survive,
0:36:20 > 0:36:25you need to maintain your friendship with Tim, OK, and, you need to help each other.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30Every time there's an obstacle you say, "Tim, what did you do when this happened to you?"
0:36:30 > 0:36:33He might be able to give you good advice.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36- Do you think you could help each other?- Yes.- Yes.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- To a certain extent.- Yes.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43They've been like two little halves of something that's come together
0:36:43 > 0:36:47because they share interests and they have the same quirky sense of humour
0:36:47 > 0:36:50and they like each other, they enjoy each other's company.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54I can never complete Sudoku, because I look at what they are
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and when I get stuck on the obvious ones,
0:36:56 > 0:37:00I look what can't it be and then look what could it be.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01Then I can't decide.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05For a start, in a new school, he's been lucky to find Tim.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Tim is a pretty unique young man in his own right.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13To have come across Tim, I think, that's quite a good omen for the future.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18Any other questions? Come on, bring it on.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21- See if you can solve all the questions in here.- OK.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Just as Cameron's life begins to look more recognisably like that of a teenager,
0:37:25 > 0:37:29there is bad news from the Open University on another maths assignment.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33- Have you seen his paper that he got back?- No, it vanished.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38- You should have a look at it.- Yeah? - Yeah.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Mind you, I've got to say it is really strict what you've got to do.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- Yes.- You know, you get a question two plus two?
0:37:45 > 0:37:50If you write under it four, you don't get full marks for that.
0:37:50 > 0:37:58In his first year, his marks, were in the 80s, putting him in the top 0.5%.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Now he's got another low mark, 72%.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04He's been asked to come to the University.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08The comments were, I need to try better at explaining.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14I try, I'm not good at explaining.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18To me use it looks like, that's explained.
0:38:18 > 0:38:25Although 72% is a great mark, it's not enough to secure the distinction he wants.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29No-one knows if this is because of his age, or his Asperger's.
0:38:31 > 0:38:37The million-dollar question, would he be able to better explain himself
0:38:37 > 0:38:41if everything was put on hold for a year or two?
0:38:41 > 0:38:44He probably could answer that question easier
0:38:44 > 0:38:46if he didn't have Asperger's.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52One of the defining features of Asperger's is an inability to be able to see things
0:38:52 > 0:38:54from somebody else's perspective.
0:38:54 > 0:39:01His tutor is also worried, as the degree is about to get even harder.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05There were three marks for doing, what I would have considered, basically nothing
0:39:05 > 0:39:10but I'm staggered at the number of students that didn't get all three marks for it.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12It's because of that, I wanted to pick up on it.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17Although Cameron's producing some good work, it's becoming more and more evident
0:39:17 > 0:39:21that his ability to communicate the results he's getting is lessening
0:39:21 > 0:39:24as the course is progressing.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28It's about language that we're using. The definitions need to be there and need to be clear.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Every step counts.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34If the information I'm looking for isn't there, he doesn't get the grade for it.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36There's a lot going on in your head.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41If you can put it down on paper for me, in a way that can enable me to give you the marks for it,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45then you'll get an assignment back that says, "I'm doing brilliant at this."
0:39:45 > 0:39:47And better yet, we might learn something new from you.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52You might not be the one that makes the discovery of the fastest way to get us to Mars,
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- but you might be the one that gives us the maths.- A human catapult.- Yes.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00You might be the one that gives as the maths that enables us to find it.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02I'll give it a shot.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07To pretend there isn't a problem would be a waste of Cameron's time and effort, as well.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11I think he'd look back and say, "OK, I got the degree", but it doesn't mean anything
0:40:11 > 0:40:15because actually he'd want to do it again later.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Cameron will only be able to continue with his degree
0:40:17 > 0:40:22if the results of his next paper shows signs of improvement.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27I definitely want to carry on and that.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29I'm going to have to try explaining things,
0:40:29 > 0:40:33try and see how other people see.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- Do you feel confident about that? - Confidentish about it.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37I'm going to try.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Are you worried about your assignment?
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Slightly.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Why'd you want to do all this studying if it stresses you?
0:40:53 > 0:40:57I only cause the stress myself, I still want to do the studying.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00If you know you cause the stress yourself, why don't you stop it?
0:41:00 > 0:41:03I don't know. I try.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08- Is it Asperger's-y? - I don't know, is it?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Self-inflicted torment?
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- But still fun?- Yes.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16I'm so cold. I'm dying. Frostbite.
0:41:16 > 0:41:22- Fancy a burger?- Yes, yes. - Yes.- Please.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Are you getting up? Go on, then.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Ow, ow, ow, I need to stretch my legs before something sets.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Come on, then. Oh!- That was close.
0:41:35 > 0:41:41It's half term, but that doesn't mean Cameron gets a break from his studies.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45His assignment has to be in by the end of the week.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51But, inspired by his new social life at school,
0:41:51 > 0:41:55Cameron's parents have invited Jonathan, the kid from their karate class,
0:41:55 > 0:41:59on the day out to a games expo.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04We might get to have a preview of Call Of Duty at this geek convention.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- It's not a geek convention. - Yes, it is.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- No, it's not it's a video game convention.- Yes, I have to admit.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Do you want to have a go at Call Of Duty at some point?
0:42:13 > 0:42:16- Which one? Black Ops?- Yes.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- If we can, World Of Warfare 3. - Yes.- Yeah.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26For the first time in Cameron's life, he's going on a day out with a friend.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I'm not sure if I have ever done this before with somebody.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35How does that feel?
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Mmm. It feels good.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39I can't wait.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42I can't wait!
0:42:42 > 0:42:43Look, look, look!
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Thank you, thank you.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49Thanks.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51Oh, thanks for that.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Johnny! Rarrr!
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- I'm not being stabbed. - What about the hanging out with Cameron?- It's fun.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05He's very imaginative.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15- The games expo is a geek's paradise.- This place is unusual.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18I hope they're careful, they could poke someone's eye out.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22- Can you see them? - Is that Captain Rex?
0:43:22 > 0:43:25I don't know.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Don't sneeze on it!
0:43:27 > 0:43:33- We're the same age, we're into a lot of the same things, we like Doctor Who...- What about girls?
0:43:33 > 0:43:35I don't know, you'll have to ask him.
0:43:35 > 0:43:41- I'm going to get them to kill you. - I'll just grab a rapid-fire sniper rifle.
0:43:45 > 0:43:49But in the Doctor Who area, Cameron is about to meet his match.
0:43:49 > 0:43:55Not many people understand what happened at the end of the last series with the Pandorica and that.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59- I do.- What happened? - Do you want it from the top?
0:43:59 > 0:44:04Cracks were appearing all through time and space - apparently they were the Doctor's fault,
0:44:04 > 0:44:08but they weren't, time was collapsing. The Doctor was locked in the Pandorica,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11but was the only person who could save them. When it closed,
0:44:11 > 0:44:14time started to end. However, the future Doctor went back,
0:44:14 > 0:44:18told Rory to open up the Pandorica to get the former Doctor out...
0:44:18 > 0:44:24..get the Doctor to rescue him and then 2,000 years later, Amy is now...
0:44:24 > 0:44:28Yeah, Amy's in the Pandorica, she gets freed by her former self...
0:44:28 > 0:44:30She dies then comes back to life.
0:44:30 > 0:44:36- Well, she didn't necessarily... - She died.- No, no, she almost died.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- Heal.- Yeah, she wasn't completely dead.
0:44:39 > 0:44:44- Don't like her. She's gobby. - She's interested in Doctor Who.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46Exactly, she's gobby.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50Oi! Put your eye somewhere else!
0:44:50 > 0:44:54- Steady, steady. Please be careful. - Be careful that he doesn't bang me into a wall!
0:44:54 > 0:44:59She likes the same things as me. She even knows about World of Warcraft.
0:44:59 > 0:45:00She was wearing no shoes!
0:45:02 > 0:45:05I can't be bothered wearing these things.
0:45:06 > 0:45:11Hey, I was wondering if I could get your name so I can talk to you about Doctor Who on Facebook.
0:45:11 > 0:45:18- Dabi. D-A-B-I. Write it on there. - I don't want to have to hand it back.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21But apparently he has got her contact details, I mean, yes!
0:45:21 > 0:45:24So at least he can have Facebook conversations or texts or something.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31Almost! I was close, I was close.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34Brilliant. Social interaction, hooray!
0:45:34 > 0:45:40I think maybe the Doctor that gets shot by the astronaut. Maybe.
0:45:40 > 0:45:45- They think he dies.- He can't die. And trust me, they can't burn him.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49Doctor Who's earning BBC too much money.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53Half term is nearly over.
0:45:53 > 0:45:59Cameron now has to put his teenage pursuits aside to focus on his degree.
0:45:59 > 0:46:00Bring it on.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08He has to prove in his next assignment that he can get
0:46:08 > 0:46:10the thought process out of his head and on to paper.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13X equals...
0:46:13 > 0:46:16So...
0:46:19 > 0:46:22HE CALCULATES
0:46:25 > 0:46:30Question C. Seeing what I can see out in the sea.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34Now, let's see if I can do question C.
0:46:39 > 0:46:43For a start, using rule 1, I obtain, yada yada yada,
0:46:43 > 0:46:51then only three zeroes of p(x) must reside within the open interval. Minus 22.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54Thank you. Good night.
0:46:54 > 0:46:59This paper is quite important because it's primarily explanations,
0:46:59 > 0:47:01so I have to do well here.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05I'm desperate to get a degree, I'm desperate to "achieve".
0:47:05 > 0:47:07"Achieve"!
0:47:09 > 0:47:11All that remains is to post it.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14Agh! Wait.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17Agh! That's a dog crap bin.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22It's a dog crap bin!
0:47:25 > 0:47:27I'm not shoving this in there!
0:47:27 > 0:47:33The result of this assignment will decide his academic future.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41Half term is over.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43I hate being the new kid.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46I think it's fun. I'm really popular.
0:47:46 > 0:47:51I was lucky, the first person I found was a really popular one.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54I was unlucky, the first person I found...
0:47:55 > 0:47:58Unfortunately, I have to say this about Tim - sorry, Tim,
0:47:58 > 0:48:01but no, not popular.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05Bye!
0:48:11 > 0:48:16I made a friend, he wasn't that popular, and now I'm dragged down.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18I don't care. Tim's awesome.
0:48:18 > 0:48:23He told me a secret code in Call Of Duty to unlock a new zombie mode.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25- I know.- That Dead Ops Arcade one.
0:48:25 > 0:48:30- He went around shooting in all directions... - I know! I've played it!
0:48:30 > 0:48:32- Dying!- I've played it!
0:48:34 > 0:48:35I've played it!
0:48:38 > 0:48:39This is you.
0:48:41 > 0:48:42See you, Beth.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51With his unconventional take on the world,
0:48:51 > 0:48:54Cameron usually finds school tough.
0:48:54 > 0:48:59But he's met Tim, who also has a unique charm and intelligence.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03The two of them have clicked, and Tim has realised
0:49:03 > 0:49:06the benefits of having a maths genius for a new best friend.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09Think you can sort this out for me? Two-part sheet.
0:49:10 > 0:49:15- Think you can solve these for me? - 18.6.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19Seriously, do you call these questions? For 59 the answer is 8.
0:49:19 > 0:49:24Wow. This is a GCSE test, sorry about the notes I took down.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27I can't read my handwriting, so I use diagrams often.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30That's how I work out multiplication.
0:49:30 > 0:49:34- This is homework. - That's simple!- Is it?
0:49:39 > 0:49:42Cameron has been waiting for the mark on his last paper.
0:49:42 > 0:49:48- He sent it off a week ago. - Nervous?- Yes!
0:49:48 > 0:49:51You're a bit jiggly.
0:49:51 > 0:49:52HE BLOWS
0:49:52 > 0:49:53That'll be a yes.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58He's meeting Jane Williams, the head of the course, to get his mark.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02If he's shown he's understood what he's doing wrong, he'll be allowed to continue to study.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05Hi, Cameron.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08If not, he'll have to put his degree on hold.
0:50:10 > 0:50:15Cameron is hoping for 80% or more.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19- Uh, OK.- Oh, 77. I hoped for 80.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22You can't expect the same results at this level that you got
0:50:22 > 0:50:25when you were doing GCSE stuff.
0:50:25 > 0:50:26No, it doesn't work like that.
0:50:26 > 0:50:30And as I keep saying to you, Cameron, professors
0:50:30 > 0:50:34in university, doing all this high stuff, they get stuff wrong.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38Don't be disappointed, Cameron, because it really is good news
0:50:38 > 0:50:40that you've listened to what's been said
0:50:40 > 0:50:44and there's a clear improvement, so that's great.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46You've still got a way to go, but that's fine.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48That's why you're a student
0:50:48 > 0:50:51and you're not sitting where I'm sitting.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53- Don't worry about that, you can learn about it.- Yeah.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56Lower my self expectations?
0:50:56 > 0:51:03Well, don't lower, bit don't be so hard on yourself if you don't quite reach what you're hoping for.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06I was a bit disappointed, I expected above 80.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09I'm desperate to achieve, I'm desperate to get high marks.
0:51:09 > 0:51:10I'm too hard on myself.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19Two months ago, Cameron went to Cambridge to meet Professor Leader,
0:51:19 > 0:51:24a world-renowned mathematician and fellow of Trinity College.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29Now Professor Leader has come to Wrexham.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33He's worried that Cameron is moving ahead too fast with his exams,
0:51:33 > 0:51:35and he might lost interest.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39Professor Leader wants to talk to Cameron about his maths future.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43There's quite an important distinction between progressing,
0:51:43 > 0:51:47taking lots of exams as fast as you can, getting four, five,
0:51:47 > 0:51:50six years ahead of yourself and relaxing,
0:51:50 > 0:51:53enjoying what you call enrichment, doing some harder,
0:51:53 > 0:51:55thinking material on your own level of maths.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58That's often more fruitful, a more fruitful thing in the long run.
0:52:01 > 0:52:06- Hi.- Hello, how are you? Hi, nice to meet you. Hello.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10That's the bathroom. That's my parents'. This is mine.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14- Typical teenage room. - How many Daleks have you got?
0:52:15 > 0:52:20- Do you count Davros as a Dalek? - Yes.- Then ten.- Wow.
0:52:20 > 0:52:25The big question for me comes down to, ultimately, where is he going?
0:52:25 > 0:52:28A first degree, not a Masters, that would be a disaster.
0:52:28 > 0:52:33To be with kids his own age at university. He's got to. If he's done the only degree, big deal,
0:52:33 > 0:52:36he can do it all again at Oxford or Cambridge.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40No problem at all. So if you can do something early, absolutely ace it
0:52:40 > 0:52:43and destroy it and kill it, trivial for you, that's probably OK.
0:52:43 > 0:52:47If you're not getting 99%, actually, there's no point in doing it.
0:52:47 > 0:52:51I'd probably explode if the Open University stopped.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56I don't want to even go past the degree.
0:52:56 > 0:52:58Why the degree? Why not choose something else?
0:52:58 > 0:53:02I don't know why I specifically want a degree.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04Yes, you've got a piece of paper.
0:53:04 > 0:53:09It really doesn't count for much, that piece of paper. It's nice to learn stuff,
0:53:09 > 0:53:14it's really nice to think about it, that's how advances get made, that's how you understand more about stuff.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16But there are these very nice things called
0:53:16 > 0:53:20National Maths Summer School, like camps, for about 40 kids.
0:53:20 > 0:53:26They're brilliant. You have about 40 kids, each of them is the best kid in their school,
0:53:26 > 0:53:29each one, everyone else in the school thinks is a weirdo or a geek.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31And they come here and find people like them.
0:53:31 > 0:53:37- It's just wonderful.- Can I go? - There's an enthusiastic response! "Can I go?"
0:53:37 > 0:53:41You need to chuck into the mix the fact that he's got Asperger's.
0:53:41 > 0:53:42Well, they all do.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47Compared to a lot of the kids, he's completely 100% normal.
0:53:47 > 0:53:52If you see a kid walking around college who looks really weird, you'll often say,
0:53:52 > 0:53:54"That's a mathematician." And you'll probably be right.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58It's not that mathematicians are weird, it's that most of the weird ones are mathematicians!
0:53:58 > 0:54:00Long-term goal - entering Cambridge.
0:54:00 > 0:54:04That would be nice. That's a great goal to have, entering Cambridge.
0:54:04 > 0:54:08- Nice to have seen you all. Keep in touch.- Bye!- Bye, Cameron!
0:54:10 > 0:54:14His early achievemets are impressive, in terms of things that don't matter,
0:54:14 > 0:54:16like A levels, which are all just rote.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20He hasn't started doing competition- type things or Olympiad things,
0:54:20 > 0:54:23so I can't tell how good he is in that sense.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27And we have 14-year-olds who challenge for the Olympiad team.
0:54:27 > 0:54:31I don't think he's there yet. But he seems certainly in the mix, I would have thought.
0:54:31 > 0:54:35Does he have what it takes to get into Cambridge? I would guess yes.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39So I hope to see him in about four years' time knocking on our door.
0:54:39 > 0:54:44Professor Leader has provided Cameron with another option in life.
0:54:44 > 0:54:49Instead of fast-forwarding through exams and qualifications,
0:54:49 > 0:54:53he could slow down and do a degree at Cambridge at 18.
0:54:53 > 0:54:58He taught me that you need to go behind the scenes in maths,
0:54:58 > 0:55:02not just on the surface, but deep within.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04And, as Leader said,
0:55:04 > 0:55:11there's other people like me - high maths abilities, bad school lives.
0:55:13 > 0:55:14I am not alone.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16Spooky!
0:55:18 > 0:55:21Cameron is growing up.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24Hmm...
0:55:24 > 0:55:26Hm!
0:55:26 > 0:55:30Mum first noticed a moustache.
0:55:32 > 0:55:33She saw it...
0:55:34 > 0:55:36..and told me about it.
0:55:36 > 0:55:40Not long after, Beth accidentally ripped it off with a piece of Sellotape.
0:55:40 > 0:55:44- You don't know what's going to happen. He's a teenager.- Yes, he is.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48"I don't want to do maths, I'm more interested in women."
0:55:48 > 0:55:51Well, y'know! You never know!
0:55:51 > 0:55:53- You never know. - Look, it's a flying pig!
0:55:53 > 0:55:58Cameron has been on his first date, without his parents.
0:55:58 > 0:56:02I started becoming interested in women about a few months ago.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07Who is she?
0:56:07 > 0:56:10I started to like them instead of be disgusted by them.
0:56:10 > 0:56:15- ALL:- # Happy birthday to you!... #
0:56:15 > 0:56:17And now he's 14.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23He's happy with his new friends and has a plan for his future.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27The growing pains are easing up for this teenage genius.
0:56:27 > 0:56:32It was aweso-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ome!
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:01 > 0:57:03E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk