Man on the Autism Spectrum, Kelvin Smith, to Compete on 'Jeopardy!'

Kelvin Smith, a Birmingham, Alabama man on the autism spectrum, will compete on “Jeopardy!” this Thursday.

“As of the age of 10, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s,” Smith told Trebek in a promotional clip released ahead of Tuesday’s episode. “What that entails basically is I have a really hard time with social interactions and reading social cues.”

Smith, has been a fan of the show since childhood and has spent the past 10 years trying to get on the show. Before his debut, he studied past champions and how they prepared for the show.

“It’s a good message to send to other people with autism to know that you can do this, you can do this,” Smith told WIAT CBS 42.

Beyond competing on “Jeopardy!,” Smith is currently enrolled in a doctorate degree program for chemical and biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech. According to CBS, Smith hopes to start a nonprofit for those on the spectrum interested in studying science, engineering, technology and math.

Smith’s episode airs Thursday, November 2 at 2:30 pm ET on CBS.