Follow the Spectrum- Find Yourself is presenting a Super-Hero-themed Art Festival on April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crown Complex. There will be an art contest, freebies, craft tables, food vendors, games, activities and autism resources. For more information, visit the website at https://www.followthespectrum.com.
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Watch Out, Fay Today and the Crown Complex are all sponsors of the event.
Follow the Spectrum provides support, services and educational programs to foster inclusion and understanding for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Each person has a superpower; let us unlock it. The motto is “Follow the Spectrum, Find Yourself.”
Follow the Spectrum‘s events from 2024 raised $5,000 for the School of Hope, served 250 families within the neurodivergent community by hosting a backpack drive, and Trunk or Treat activities.
According to the Autism Society of North Carolina, 1 in 36 may be diagnosed with autism nationally. 5,437,988 adults in the United States experience autism. In North Carolina, the prevalence is even higher; approximately 1 in 40 experiences autism.
Kyle Johnson, CEO and founder of Follow the Spectrum, shares his inspiration.
“I am a native of Fayetteville. I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism with ADHD at 3 years old. I was also non-verbal at 3 years old. Ginger, my mom, took an extended leave of absence from JCPenney to be supportive of my therapy. The psychologist informed my mother that my highest level of academic achievement would be a certificate from high school and not a high school diploma,” Johnson said. “Mom discovered my superpower, music. My willpower and determination enabled me to pass on to every grade level in both primary and secondary education. I graduated from Pine Forest with a 3.4 GPA.”
Johnson’s mother also learned a lot on the journey she shared with her son.
“I also helped my mom find her real purpose in life. Mom was instrumental and involved with various therapies. She began her path as an educator. She served as a teacher’s assistant at Howard Hall Elementary. Dr Sheldon Harvey recognized her potential and recommended getting the degree to become a full-time teacher,” Johnson said. “She attended UNC Wilmington and graduated with a degree in Biology. She also passed Praxis. She currently serves as a 7th-grade science teacher in Cumberland County schools.”
As for Johnson and his academic achievements? He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management with a minor in Music from Methodist University.
Johnson has used his life’s story to bring awareness to autism within Cumberland County.
“Sherry Grimes shared with me about the lack of autism awareness in Fayetteville. I later viewed a podcast entitled Put Me On Game. Some high school students wanted to sponsor or host annual events concerning autism in Fayetteville. I also wanted to do a fundraising project for the School of Hope. The School of Hope was planning to expand the campus for students experiencing the spectrum of autism,” he said.
Johnson began to look into opportunities to spread awareness to the community.
“Elijah Cox, Antonio Rajon Forte, Kres Thomas, FAY TODAY NEWS and I founded Follow the Spectrum,” he said.
“Autism is my superpower, what is yours?” states Alexa Lauren Burger.
Be a Superhero at the Superhero Autism and Art Festival. Attendees can expect family fun and autism awareness with an art show, food vendors, games, craft tables, freebies, and activities. Admission is free. For more information, contact Follow the Spectrum by email at info@followthespectrumnc.com.