Whether it's the homework or pressure to succeed... many students can get overwhelmed during the school year.

And for students who have a disabilty, the school year can be even more difficult to handle.

Reporter Ashley McMillan introduces us to a Grimsrud first grader with a disability who counts and colors just like any other first grader does.

He's in a regular first grade class

"We go to school we cry, we eat, we have the same wants and dislikes that any kid would have." says Sandy McMerty, Cristian's mom

But's he's not your average student.

"But the biggest difference is that it might take us a little longer to do somethings then other kids so we may not walk as fast or talk as fast or be able to do something in band as fast, but It all comes with time." she says

Cristian was born with down syndrome but the disease has not stopped him from following along with the rest of his class. "Cristian is just a first grader, he's just kind of getting into the routine, he went to kindergarten last year, we're learning to read, recognize numbers, working on those math skills and building a base for later years." says McMerty

Kids with down syndrome are now going to public schools more often than in the past.

"I think any kid with a disability is great to be in the mainstreamed into the classroom settings because they give us probably even more then we can give them." says Kim Melin/Special education Coordinator.

Kids with special needs will start in the BECEP program or the Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program which is a headstart to their learning

When children with down syndrome begin in BECEP, they not only learn basic skills, they get physical, occupational, and speech therapy skills as well

Kim is Cristian's Special Education Director and will be, until he finishes sixth grade

"I declare my biggest role as making sure he's getting his educational needs met and that he's in the classroom as much as he possibly can be but also that he is getting his own personal needs with education met, in sometimes a pull out setting as well." says Melin.

And while he's doing everything the other students are, the challenges are still there

"Right now we have Cristian doing as much as he can with the classroom. We push him, sometimes he needs that extra push to go the extra mile and we just try and get him to try and do as much as the classroom work that he can but also there are times during the day that I'll take him in a pull out session in a more one on one session." she says.

Cristian will continue on into middle school and high school in the Bismarck Public School system and after graduating will go on to a special training for people with disabilites.

"He has a lot of excitement to learn. It's even more exciting when it's a fun game, a learning game, but he's a very excited person

Excited, and happy, and like all kids do, he makes mom proud.

"With any kid, the first day you send them to school, they come home looking bigger and it's no different with Christian so he comes everyday and he read me his first book this week and mom has never been prouder and to see him excel and watch him grow with his peers is something you just you can't imagine.

Saturday was an extra special day for Cristian, he celebrated his 5th birthday at the 5th Annual Buddy Walk. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list