The combination of family fun, education, diversity and connection in the greater Fayetteville area is easy to find if you follow the spectrum. Not the pretty prism that comes to mind, but something even better. The third annual Follow the Spectrum Autism Festival arrives at the Crown Complex on April 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Everyone is invited to join autism families, ABA providers and autism-friendly businesses from across North Carolina for this jam-packed day celebrating and bringing awareness of neurodiversity. In conjunction with the event’s presenting sponsor, Breaking Barriers Behavioral Services LLC, and other sponsoring organizations and individuals, the popular event is hosted by the non-profit Follow the Spectrum of Fayetteville.
FTS provides support, services, educational programs, resources and inclusive events for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. “Follow the Spectrum, Find Yourself” is the FTS motto.
An adventurous superhero festival theme sets the scene and serves as a reminder that each person has a superpower to discover and use. Festival attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite superhero costumes and accessories to join in the action, which includes a photo booth, DJ, superhero-themed activities, free giveaways, educational resources, mascots, arts and crafts and other interactive experiences.
Numerous ABA—Applied Behavior Analysis—therapy providers and clinics will be on hand to discuss services and resources available to parents, guardians, educators and others. Several North Carolina Autism-friendly businesses, community organizations and nonprofits supporting neurodiverse youth and families will also join in for the day.
Refueling all the superhero tanks will be JLNL Eatz, serving up everything from wings and nachos to meatloaf and fish. Following the savories are the sweets from Made with Love Cakery, which proudly bakes more than 100 cake flavors and delicious baked goods for the insatiable sweet tooth.
Vendors selling various handmade and artisan goods, cups, t-shirts, pens, organic body soaps, jewelry and other merchandise afford shoppers the chance to give back with their greenbacks. Examples include DM creations, Whimsical Wooden Boutique and various sensory-friendly jewelry merchants. Pretty Lit Creations is the artistic venture of Delilah, a young girl on the autism spectrum who was diagnosed with 17q12 Deletion Syndrome at 3 years old. She and her family will be at The Follow the Spectrum Autism Festival, offering artwork, jewelry and custom pens for sale.
Proceeds support autism awareness. Deliliah was Follow the Spectrum’s Entrepreneur All Star at last year’s festival. This year, however, is more about engagement versus recognition, according to festival leaders.
An exciting Super Powered Lab leverages engagement, plus excitement! The fun, interactive lab gives kids and youth the chance to showcase two superpowers, speed and strength, through fitness and agility trials. An arts and crafts table shines the light on creativity and spotlights young artists.
Kyle Johnson, the founder and CEO of Follow the Spectrum, discovered his talent—or superpower—for music late in elementary school after an early diagnosis of high-functioning autism and ADHD initially placed him on the wrong trajectory.
“I was nonverbal for the first three years of my life, and after receiving my diagnosis, I started multiple therapies. My mom, Ginger, took an extended leave of absence from her job to help me,” Johnson shared.
“When I started kindergarten, I unfortunately was placed in the wrong setting; the environment was not right for me. I changed schools and then had an excellent teacher. Still, a psychologist told my mother I would only be able to complete high school and receive a certificate, but not graduate and earn a diploma. This angered my mom, and it motivated me. I found I had musical ability, which then led me to prove the psychologist wrong. I graduated from Pine Forest High School with a 3.4 GPA and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in management and a minor in music from Methodist University.”
Just as Johnson found himself through music, his journey also helped his mom find her life’s purpose, too. Ginger Johnson’s diligence in getting the right education for her son stirred within her a desire to teach, propelling her to a new career with Cumberland County Schools. Today, she is a 7th-grade science teacher at Pine Forest Middle School.
Johnson, who dons a bright red Superman-style cape to the festival each year, loves to share his story. Grateful for what his mom, family members, teachers and friends have done for him over the years, the festival founder is eager to give back to and help others. Expecting even larger numbers than last year’s nearly 200 festival goers, Johnson extends the welcome wagon to all.
“This is going to be our biggest festival yet; buckle up and join us for a great day of love, celebration and awareness for neurodiversity here in Fayetteville and the surrounding area. It’s an all-inclusive festival, so everyone is welcome.”
Learn more at https://followthespectrumnc.com/.

(Photo: Follow the Spectrum Autism Festival in 2025 saw the largest attendance in the history of the event. Founder and CEO Kyle Johnson says he expects this year to be even larger. Photo courtesy of Kyle Johnson)