Creating Inclusive Community
Connecting and Celebrating Music Fans on the Autism Spectrum
About Us
Welcome to Spectrum Friendly. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an inclusive online community for music fans on the autism
spectrum. Based in Ontario, Canada, our mission is to foster a safe and
supportive environment where individuals with autism can connect, share
experiences, and enjoy live music to the fullest.
Our founders, Charlene and John Hayes (Derringer) and Sanderson Layng were inspired by Charlene and John’s daughter Madison and her experiences of being on the autism spectrum while navigating a world she has come to love, live music. Their aim is to create an inclusive online community for music fans with autism.
Madison’s Story
As a little girl, I was always a little bit different from other kids in school. I could recite kids movie references with ease, I was always swept away in my own imagination, and I was also very sensitive to noise. Any loud horn or bell would stress me out and I would hold my ringing ears whenever a fire alarm went off. This sensory sensitivity also extended into movies, plays, sporting events and concerts. Whenever I went to school concerts I would be shivering with anxiety because of the loud noise. As I grew older, I realized how important that music was becoming to me.
The first band I loved was One Direction, and I really wanted to see them play live. I had to make an active effort to find ways to make concerts more comfortable for me. This meant finding advice online through websites like Tumblr or even early Instagram, or watching videos of shows online so I could (somewhat) anticipate what would be coming in terms of noise, potential pyro, and effects. This whole approach changed as I entered high school, when in the fall of my first year of high school, I found out I was on the Autism Spectrum.This wasn’t entirely shocking considering my aversion to noise, problems with texture when it came to food, learning difficulties, etc. I became determined to make the spaces around me more accessible not just for myself but for other Autistic or Neurodivergent kids. This first started at my school when I introduced assistive apps and technologies to the guidance department.
As I got older, and eventually graduated high school and transitioned into university, I really harnessed my love and appreciation for live music, and now going to concerts has become a major part of my life. These shows range from folk bands such as Lord Huron, to massive stadium and arena rock shows like boygenius and Metallica. Spectrum Friendly comes from my love of music and my desire to allow the neurodivergent community an opportunity to enjoy live music in spite of the obstacles we face.
Our Vision
We envision a world where everyone can experience the joy of live music
without barriers. By partnering with concert venues, advocating for
inclusive practices, and providing a supportive online community, we aim to
make this vision a reality.
Our Mission
Our mission is to advocate for the inclusion of autistic individuals in the live
music scene and provide them with the resources and support they need to
thrive. We believe that music is a universal language that can bring people
together, and we are committed to making live music events accessible and
enjoyable for everyone.