MIAMI (WSVN) -- Some of the brightest young minds in South Florida took the stage Friday and shared their success stories at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

"Good evening, my name is Dayton. I live with Autism everyday, but I know my disability does not define me," said Dayton Milares.

The event was called Tedxyouth@miami, and for more than seven minutes, Milares from the Cushman School, held an audience in the palm of his 11-year-old hands. "People with disabilities deserve to be treated like all of you," he said.

When Milares was just 18 months old, he was diagnosed with water on the brain. "They said I wouldn't speak, but here I am now," he said.

Sharing the same stage was 11-year-old Christina Caralis. The Cushman School's sixth grader has a learning disorder that makes it difficult to remember things she has read. "When I sing whenever I can, I can connect a word with an image which makes it easier for me to remember," said Caralis.

Milares and Caralis, were just two of the extraordinary young people taking part in the Cushman School's Tedxyouth@miami event.

The event provided young people with something to say or a story to tell. "To show them that their ideas actually matter, that they can impact our community," said Arvi Balseiro.

The program was streamed globally with the hope that other kids can be inspired to overcome their own obstacles. "Singing can connect us all and helps us express ourselves," said Caralis. "This is why I am passionate about sharing my music. It makes me believe in myself."

Milares said he wants to be a video game designer, and Caralis said she wants to be a music teacher.

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