The Musical Autist

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Creating Platforms for Autistic Culture and Advocacy through Community Music Therapy

  • About Us
    • What is a “musical autist”?
  • Blog & Announcements
  • Sensory Friendly Concerts
  • Empowerment Jam Sessions
  • Troupes
Subscribe to our newsletter and blog posts

Happy Autism Day – a letter from CJ Shiloh.

April 2, 2012 by The Musical Autist 3 Comments


Dear Reader,

I write to you honestly and from the bottom of my heart, knowing there are bridges that could burn, but still hopeful that my own transparency will finally give me the peace-of-mind I am searching for today.

As prevalence increases and causes are still unknown, autism becomes more hot of a topic every year. As you all know, The Musical Autist, if asked to align with anyone, happily runs with the Neurodiversity Movement.  To me, this simply means believing that autistic people should be accepted and accommodated within our society, despite social inabilities which can range from quirks to total deficits.

To me, advocating for Neurodiversity means that “awareness” and “tolerance” is not enough, particularly in light of what our society could look like in another 50 years when our autistic youths are grown!  Do I feel rivalry or bitterness toward autism organizations which promote awareness? No absolutely not. Awareness must come first, in every aspect of life.  Then it is up to a person’s mind, heart & spirit on what to do with gained awareness. I wish that all autism groups would communicate and work together for the benefit of those on the spectrum.

So the past few days I have been ruminating on these two words, “Awareness” and “Acceptance.”

Many of you know that The Musical Autist is a Christian organization (meaning, Christ-centered, Christ-following), that we started the concept of “Sensory-Friendly Concerts” – Equal Access to the Fine Arts, and that we (myself and my Board of Directors) are working to get non-profit status so as to enable and fund Music Therapists everywhere to host and facilitate Sensory-Friendly Concerts in their own local communities.

But you probably would not know my personal, complex opinions and beliefs about Neurodiversity unless I told you very plainly, so, here we go.

You see, my life’s work, teaching music to kids on the spectrum, is fulfilled by my life’s calling – to follow and exemplify the teachings of the Bible in everything that I say and do. And I am grateful for God’s GRACE in areas where I undoubtedly fall short.

When it comes to autism, neurodiversity, right and wrong….like any other thing in life, I study the Scriptures for answers.

(And I don’t mean just a few times as a type of reference book. I sit in front of my Bible every morning, meditating on passages which have impacted and changed the course of my life over the years, praying, and allowing myself to be open to the Holy Spirit’s work in me and through me. Sometimes I take just one word from the concordance and read all the passages throughout the Bible which contain that word. Sometimes I just sit and soak in the Presence of God as a humble, forgiven and contrite soul.)

All of that to say, here are some things I’ve found about autism, in the course of my reading, searching, musing and praying over the past few years:

1. Flapping your hands and rocking is definitely not a sin.

2. Being socially withdrawn and perseverating on a favored inanimate object is not a sin.

3. Mind-blindness is not a sin. And while on the topic of autism theory…. “refrigerator-mothers” never sinned, although everyone in the 60’s wrongly believed they did.

4. Environmental toxicity is not our own sin, but is most definitely the sins of our forefathers, which is now our burden to bear. =’ (

5. Greed and pride are definitely sins.  And capitalizing on society’s fears of prevalence increase, for the purpose of monetary and popularity gain is birthed and bred out of greed and pride.

6. Trash talking and perseverating on other autism group’s philosophies and practices does not help to fulfill Philippians 4:8 in my own life.  (“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”)

Am I called to be a Light in the world, and shed Light on darkness? yes.  But sometimes I struggle with what that really looks like.  In the time I spend reading and researching other autism nonprofits, am I called to educate others on my findings, even when I discover corrupt and evil practices within those organizations I am observing?  I want to speak what is excellent and praiseworthy, but, I am also called to speak what is true and right.

And so I humbly write to you, as transparently as I can, that I will simply keep pressing forward in my calling, with my theology and philosophy ever growing and ever in sight…which is exactly what has brought me here thus far.

Awareness is important: this is always a first step.  First awareness….then what?

Acceptance is vital: and will hopefully be culture’s next step after Autism Awareness.

This will take loving patience and willing collaboration from all Neurodiversity advocates and allies.

So what does “acceptance” truly mean, what does it look like?

Every week I pour every ounce of my energy and love into working with kids on the spectrum.  I WANT them to express themselves, I WANT them to be okay living in their own skin and cope with sensory overload, I WANT them to grow and to discover their own God-given gifts the same as I would want for ANY child. But these are goals I cannot force upon them. Relationship-building with my students is more important to me than checking off clinical goals and objectives at the expense of respecting and accepting an autistic person right where they are at.

I want my autistic students and friends on this site to advocate for themselves, specifically through music and the arts, because that is what I know how to do and that is what I know how to teach.

I don’t want to be their spokesperson, I want them to express themselves – for themselves!

I only want to be the biggest fan and cheerleader.

Sincerely yours, and until next time,

Christy Joy Shiloh

Share & Comment:

  • Tweet

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Anna says

    August 5, 2012 at 9:22 am

    I’m autistic and love God. I don’t like denominations, though. Too complicated.

    Reply
    • CJ Shiloh says

      August 8, 2012 at 9:27 am

      Agreed. Fellowship is important, but sometimes at the risk of legalism when human agendas smoke the mirrors. In Christ, we live under the law of liberty and grace, yet still important to find those who can be “iron sharpening iron.”
      One thing’s for sure. Life sure is complicated…

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. WebProArticles.com | Autism Acceptance Day- New Blog Articles says:
    September 7, 2012 at 12:55 am

    […] https://themusicalautist.org/happy-autism-day-a-letter-from-cj-shiloh/ (CJ Shiloh) […]

    Reply

Share Your Comments & Feedback: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

themusicalautist

The Musical Autist
Everyone I would like you to meet Micah @rock_on_m Everyone I would like you to meet Micah @rock_on_micah who is a 19 year old autistic musician. He has had a love for music for many years and he started an all  music YouTube channel in June 2020. Together with his dad they are a two man band called The Positive Autism. Micah is on vocals, keyboards and harmonica. His dad plays guitar and bass. They write and produce original songs, covers and even take requests! In November Micah released his first album of original songs called Autism Rocks! I Am Micah on iTunes, Amazon and all the digital platforms. Way to go Micah!! You can also find him on his YouTube channel Autism Rocks- Music by the Positive Autism. Micah thank you so much for sharing your talent and your story with us 😃 #autisticmusician #elevatingautisticmusicians @elevatingautisticmusicians
We are back! Hello my name is Jennifer also known We are back! Hello my name is Jennifer also known as @rebrandingautism and we are ready to do some new things here at The Musical Autist including a new program called Elevating Autistic Musicians @elevatingautisticmusicians We want to share our autistic artistry with the world! If you are a musician on the spectrum and are interested in being featured on our page, send us a DM or @ us. #autisticmusician #autism #music
Still here! And in 2021 TMA is coming back in a bi Still here! And in 2021 TMA is coming back in a big way.
This month, our second Spotlight is focused on Lyd This month, our second Spotlight is focused on Lydia X. Z. Brown! 
Here are Lydia’s highlights:
Birthday: 1993 (Lydia’s exact birthdate is unknown, as they were adopted from China)

Occupation: Institute Associate & Adjunct Lecturer at Georgetown University

Impact: Lydia advocates for disability justice through teaching, writing, and practicing law. They are well-known for their support for people who are multiply-marginalized, such as Autistic people of color. At 22, Lydia was the youngest person to be elected as Chair to the Massachusetts Development Disabilities Council!
9 Years of TMA: Featuring 2018. In 2018, we rolle 9 Years of TMA: Featuring 2018. 
In 2018, we rolled out our 3rd major program, Musical Autist Troupe! Troupe still meets weekly at Maryland Hall (and now, via Zoom) year-round, and is all about cultivating the gifts of neurodivergent musicians. This inclusive group of kids, teens, and skilled mentor musicians spends rehearsals making music, building relationships, and working together toward performance opportunities. 💜

Learn more about Troupes:
https://themusicalautist.org/troupes/

Read Sunny's reflections on Troupe from 2018:
https://themusicalautist.org/sunny-writes-my-experience-with-troupe-how-you-can-join/
New on the TMA blog: Sunny shares her quarantine p New on the TMA blog: Sunny shares her quarantine playlist! 🎼

The songs that topped her list include "From Now On" from the Greatest Showman and "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson. 
Keep reading to see the rest:
https://themusicalautist.org/sunny-writes-my-quarantine-playlist/

We want to know what's on YOUR playlist right now! Drop your fave quarantine songs in the comments below. 👇💜
9 Years of TMA: Featuring 2017! In May 2017, TMA 9 Years of TMA: Featuring 2017!

In May 2017, TMA hosted our largest fundraising event to date: "In the Light", a night of inclusive performances featuring over 150 local musicians and students. Many state and local dignitaries were in the audience of 450 people, and it was an incredible opportunity to raise up the voices and gifts of our many musical autists. 💜

Read CJ's reflections on the event:
https://themusicalautist.org/a-message-from-cj-about-in-the-light/
Happy #MusicalMonday! Self-Expression is a way of Happy #MusicalMonday!

Self-Expression is a way of releasing emotion through music and various art forms. The Musical Autist practices self-expression through our 3 programs: Sensory Friendly Concerts, Empowerment Jam Sessions, and Troupe. Our programs create Autistic space and a safe environment for any emotions you may be feeling!

We want to know: How do YOU express yourself?

Sunny says: I express myself through music and writing. Music and writing make me feel good because they help me clear my head.
9 years of TMA: featuring 2016! Dr. Ken Aigen inv 9 years of TMA: featuring 2016!

Dr. Ken Aigen invited TMA Co-Founders CJ & Sunny to present on our unique Neurodiversity-focused programs, which include Sensory Friendly Concerts, Empowerment Jam Sessions, and the soon-to-be-hatched Musical Autist Troupe at NYU's  annual music therapy research symposium!

Learn more:
https://themusicalautist.org/musical-autist-at-nyu/
Sunny’s semester summary: what we did in Troupe Sunny’s semester summary: what we did in Troupe in the spring 2020 semester! 🎼Troupe started the semester in Maryland Hall by sharing a song that one of our members wrote: “Mountain of Life” by Will Swartz 🎤We practiced for our Sensory Friendly Concert...but found out that our Concert was cancelled. 😭 💻We resumed Troupe rehearsals using Zoom! 🎸We had tons Song Shares made by various members - some recorded, and some live! 💜We want to thank Troupe for a good semester, especially during all of these unexpected changes. We plan to move forward by practicing our music and staying confident in each other!
In our latest TMA blog post, TMA Co-Founder Sunny In our latest TMA blog post, TMA Co-Founder Sunny shares 5 different ways to practice self-care in the time of coronavirus. 
Sunny suggests:
🏋️‍♀️Exercise
🧘‍♂️Stress reduction 🥗Stock up (on essentials only!) 😴Rest well
💞Stay connected 
Read more:
https://themusicalautist.org/sunny-writes-5-different-ways-to-practice-self-care-during-coronavirus/
9 years of TMA: Featuring 2015! In 2015, a piece 9 years of TMA: Featuring 2015!

In 2015, a piece on equal access to the fine arts written by TMA Co-Founder CJ was featured on the widely read Huffington Post!

CJ writes:
"Just as we’ve seen in the past few decades of disability rights for those who are Deaf or those who use wheelchairs, I believe the time is coming when our society will be as equally accommodating to people on the autism spectrum. That noise-reduction headphones would be as common as closed captioning. Or that sensory quiet rooms, for a person who needs a moment to regroup or take a 'stim-break' would be as common as a wheelchair-accessible building. 
But the best accommodation of all? This can be described in one word, acceptance." Read the full article:
https://themusicalautist.org/autism-and-public-performances-how-do-we-do-this/
Hello everyone! Sunny here. To conclude Autism Acc Hello everyone! Sunny here. To conclude Autism Acceptance Month, we are introducing Musical Monday Spotlights! 
Each month, we will highlight members of the autism community and one key impact they have made. Our goal is to recognize those who honor and expand the rights of autistic people. 
I want to introduce Temple Grandin as our first member highlight from the autistic community. Here are Temple’s highlights:

Birthday: August 29, 1947

Occupation: Assistant Professor in Animal Science at Colorado State University

Impact: Temple Grandin invented a squeeze machine to calm herself down when she felt upset. The squeeze, or hug, machine is a device that provides deep pressure to an autistic person’s body. Today, autism centers use her squeeze machine to help their clients regulate and calm down.
9 Years of TMA: Featuring 2014! 2014 was a big ye 9 Years of TMA: Featuring 2014!

2014 was a big year for TMA: we finally earned our 501c3 status AND had our work on Sensory Friendly Concerts published in the International Journal of Community Music!

Read more:
https://themusicalautist.org/huge-news-after-long-time-no-see/
Troupe started so that autistic people could get t Troupe started so that autistic people could get together, talk about neurodiversity, and practice songs to perform! Our other popular programs, Sensory Friendly Concerts and Empowerment Jam Sessions, are also about raising up autistic voices and celebrating neurodiversity.

Today, we're asking another autism acceptance month question: How do YOU celebrate neurodiversity? 💜🙌🌈 Sunny says: I don’t just advocate for neurodiversity, I display it with my life. I display it in the way that I move my body, the way that I treat people, and the songs that I choose to perform.

We'd love to hear your answer below! 👇
TMA Co-Founder Sunny writes about the importance o TMA Co-Founder Sunny writes about the importance of language in her latest blog post! "I believe language is very important in the disability community, and our words matter. It is important that we use language wisely, around not only Autistic people, but people with all disabilities." Read more: 
https://themusicalautist.org/sunny-writes-person-first-vs-identity-first-language/?preview=true&_thumbnail_id=7673
April is Autism Acceptance month. The Musical Auti April is Autism Acceptance month. The Musical Autist believes that people should be treated equally, regardless of ability. 🌈🙌💜 We want to hear your perspective:
What does autism acceptance mean to you?

Drop your answer in the comments! 👇

Sunny Says: I think autism acceptance means there is no cure for autism, but autistic people should have the best quality of life with help from professionals. The Musical Autist is a strong believer in the neurodiversity movement, and we believe that all people should be accepted just the way they are.
Keeping it rolling with our 9th anniversary posts, Keeping it rolling with our 9th anniversary posts, all the way back to 2012! Today, we're featuring some of the incredible public speaking work pioneered by TMA Co-Founders CJ Shiloh & Sunny Cefaratti in the early years of TMA.

2012 consisted of presentations and making connections at AutCom, a National Music Therapy Conference, and an ICDL conference. 👏

Read & watch more: 
https://themusicalautist.org/about-sunny/
For Autism Acceptance month, TMA Co-Founder Sunny For Autism Acceptance month, TMA Co-Founder Sunny plans to interview some Troupe members, since Troupe rehearsals are an accepting and welcoming environment for people of all abilities. 
What are some questions you would ask if you had the chance to interview Troupe members? Tell us below, and maybe your question will make Sunny's interview list! 👇
In honor of TMA's 9th anniversary month, we'll be In honor of TMA's 9th anniversary month, we'll be sharing one highlight from each year of our existence!

Today, we're throwing it back to 2011: the year we created and rolled out Sensory Friendly Concerts. 💜🎼 Watch a clip from our first ever SFC here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRczx0ySLg0
Load More... Follow on Instagram

 

Connect With Us

Want to keep up with everything that's going on at The Musical Autist? Follow us across our Social Networks.
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Recent Blog Posts

  • November 2020 Update
  • Job Announcement
  • Message from our Co-Founders
  • Sunny Writes: Troupe 2020 Yearbook

Copyright ©  2020 The Musical Autist · All Rights Reserved · Log in