Dancing In The Dark: Journey In The Spectrum

Expect nothing. Live frugally On surprise. become a stranger To need of pity Or, if compassion be freely Given out Take only enough Stop short of urge to plead Then purge away the need.

Wish for nothing larger Than your own small heart Or greater than a star; Tame wild disappointment With caress unmoved and cold Make of it a parka For your soul.

Discover the reason why So tiny human midget Exists at all So scared unwise But expect nothing. Live frugally On surprise. Alice Walker

The concept of an autism resource for persons of color in Denver neighborhoods began when my oldest grandson, Adan, was diagnosed on the Spectrum. Asperger's is a somewhat confusing aspect of autism, with a growing number of individuals meshed together in socially awkward or non-communicative peer groups. Adan was verbal in words that only he understood at an early age. In response to our conversations, his words were not understandable. They seem to be in a different language/ sometimes gibberish. His frustrations in getting us to understand were difficult for all of us. Finally, a teacher recommended a consult with Children's Hospital. It was there a therapist diagnosed him with an audio processing disorder. She said that was often a part of Asperger's Syndrome. The music began there.....in a subtle but somber note. The dance in the dark started when I sought information locally and nationally.

Finding events and support groups in Denver had little diversity or participation, I was thoroughly confused. I knew the diagnosis was cross-cultural. Yet, Angela and I were often the only persons of color in attendance. When I brought it up at a forum, a member suggested I start a support group in my area of the city to bring more awareness. That was the catalyst for the African American Autism Center. As a home-based organization, we started an after-school program where the children gathered without peers bullying or harassing them for being "special ."In my observation, I found the steps of computers and games were ways to get the kids to talk to each other. I then booked meetings on Saturdays at libraries for game competitions involving community youth and found gaming expanded communications and socialization with other persons outside the neighborhood. During this time, the darkness prevailed in the diagnosis of Marcus, my youngest grandson, with the added ADD component. It was challenging to have both guys in the Spectrum, but as the family danced through the transitions of middle school and high school, we had the support of educators and therapists assisting in their success. The teens are now young adults, and the after-school program has grown to be a residential group home for Spectrum adults seeking an independent living situation. Adan is now twenty-two and executive director of our programs for transitioning adults. Marcus is approaching his twenty-first birthday and is President of Essie Lee's Transportation Service.

Today, together, we will continue to dance in the spaces of the darkness of an autism diagnosis that seemed so devastating for our family. However, the light shined through as we made our way to the dance floor under the spotlight of spreading awareness in communities about services, education, and support for those unlikely to seek information. An essential part of our success was when a parent of a child in the Spectrum suggested a summer experiment using public transportation, the light rail system, and outings to the mountains to explore outside of their familiar surroundings. We shared an invaluable coaching mechanism with other families in and out of the Spectrum for positive transitioning to new schools, environments, or friends. These acts are often a source of anxiety for persons in the Spectrum.