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CJ isn't like the other 30 or so students in his class at A Plus Tae Kwon Do in Bowie; he was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. CJ, whose autism is in the least severe range of the disorder's spectrum, feeds and dresses himself and does not need medication. He is an eighth-grader at the Fairmount Campus of Kennedy Krieger School in Baltimore, which provides special education services.

"The first time CJ was crying, because he said he can't do it because it's too hard," said Master Jae Suk Lee, owner and manager of A Plus. "I talked to him and said, ‘Look, CJ, don't give up — I'm not going to give up. Keep practicing, trust yourself. You're getting better and better.' And now he's got his black belt."

For any child to get a black belt requires commitment, time, energy and money, said Curt Moore, CJ's father.

"For CJ, it's tough, but it's doable," he said. "He did it."

A typical day for CJ is long and busy, Curt Moore said. Before 6:30 a.m., CJ wakes up, showers, eats breakfast and is on the bus to school. From 8:10 a.m. until 2 p.m. he's at school, and then he goes directly to A Plus from 3:15 to 5:45 Monday through Friday. He comes home, eats dinner, finishes homework and is in bed at 8:30.

"He looks forward to school and A Plus," Curt Moore said. "He enjoys school, and he's comfortable there; he's been there four years."

It took both CJ and younger brother Marcus, 12, two-and-a-half years from the time they started, in 2006 and 2005, respectively, to get their black belts, he said.

"The easiest part for CJ to get his black belt was to focus; he does that really well," Curt Moore said. "He can block out almost anything and anyone."

Autism doesn't slow him down. And Curt Moore believes tae kwon do helps his son.

"Without a doubt it has helped with his condition," Curt Moore said. "It helps with eye contact and social skills. He's determined."

Read more about autism and CJ's journey in Thursday's Largo Gazette.