Jeremiah's Story
Jeremiah "Jay" was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 3. He was non-verbal up to age 5 and had difficulty maintaining eye contact. Growing up different was very difficult for Jay. Other kids didn't want to play with him or even be around him. They called him names, avoided interacting with him, and bullied him.
At the age of 11, Jay started showing an interest in dance. He had been watching his younger brother Camaron dance in competitions, attend dance conventions, and book jobs dancing. When Jay would attend his brother's dance competitions, he would sit and watch every single team on the program perform. Jay would later come home and spend hours in the family room doing turns and watching dance videos on YouTube.
In 2018, Jay left Houston, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles. He enrolled in dance classes at Center Stage Dance Academy. He trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and his favorite, Acro. In 2019 he auditioned for and made two dance competition teams at The Rage Complex which is where he currently trains.
Dance has been a doorway to a whole new world for Jay. He consistently proves time and time again that his dance abilities outweigh his disabilities. Dance has significantly improved his self-confidence. Jay is able to be his true self and express his emotions through dance. He wants to inspire others on the spectrum with his success showing them that nothing is impossible.
In 2019 Jay founded Autism Dances, Inc a nonprofit autism organization. Autism Dances purpose is to generate autism awareness and the integration of people with Autism within mainstream society by pushing the boundaries of perception through dance. We create awareness through advocacy, education, and events; thus increasing the understanding and acceptance of people with autism.
At the age of 11, Jay started showing an interest in dance. He had been watching his younger brother Camaron dance in competitions, attend dance conventions, and book jobs dancing. When Jay would attend his brother's dance competitions, he would sit and watch every single team on the program perform. Jay would later come home and spend hours in the family room doing turns and watching dance videos on YouTube.
In 2018, Jay left Houston, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles. He enrolled in dance classes at Center Stage Dance Academy. He trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and his favorite, Acro. In 2019 he auditioned for and made two dance competition teams at The Rage Complex which is where he currently trains.
Dance has been a doorway to a whole new world for Jay. He consistently proves time and time again that his dance abilities outweigh his disabilities. Dance has significantly improved his self-confidence. Jay is able to be his true self and express his emotions through dance. He wants to inspire others on the spectrum with his success showing them that nothing is impossible.
In 2019 Jay founded Autism Dances, Inc a nonprofit autism organization. Autism Dances purpose is to generate autism awareness and the integration of people with Autism within mainstream society by pushing the boundaries of perception through dance. We create awareness through advocacy, education, and events; thus increasing the understanding and acceptance of people with autism.