Music is one of nature’s gifts that resonates all over the place with therapeutic effects. Kyle’s abilities were hidden in his own comfortable world because of the simple fact that he was unable to communicate or relate to the outside world. His mom Caroline took the crucial step of introducing music therapy which created a melodious path for Kyle to express himself via soothing perfect pitch of musical notes. Kyle received an overwhelming response for the debut album, ‘Therefore I Am’. Let us applaud for Kyle’s talents and happiest musical passionate journey. Caroline has answered on Kyle's behalf.

Can you tell us more about the making of your debut album “Therefore I Am”? How did music therapy help you with autism?K: Kyle lived very much in his own world and was socially very isolated before he was introduced to Music Therapy. He was also suffering from a lot of anxiety and acutely hypersensitive which was resulting in outbursts of challenging behaviour. We had moved from our old family home in the south of England and moved to a house by the sea in the far west of England. Kyle found the changes quite difficult and I found that I had to go back to basics with him and keep everything very simplistic. I was introduced to music therapy by a special needs teacher as she noticed that Kyle had a connection with music while he was at college. Shortly after that I took Kyle out of the local college as he was struggling there and he was finding it all too much.
It only took two home-sessions with the music therapist to see that Kyle really did have an innate musical ability. Kyle showed that he had a natural ear for tone and could sing with perfect pitch. He enjoyed bringing his personal choice of CD’s to the sessions and then played his chosen songs on the keyboard. As you can imagine this was a total surprise to us all. As the sessions evolved Kyle became less anxious and more enthusiastic about his music therapy sessions. So I decided to see if Kyle would like another musical experience so I took his to a music studio to record one of his favourite songs. It was the music producer that inspired us to record an album to help raise autism awareness.... and so, that’s what we did.
‘Therefore I am’ was our first album. It featured nine covers and one specially written song titled ‘Just Listen’ which portrayed the communication difficulties that people with autism experience. This was to make people think about communication and that we sometimes don’t have to speak to convey our message, our senses and feelings have the power to convey our needs and intentions to people. Shakespeare once quoted ‘When a man ceases to speak he then starts to communicate’ very pointed don’t you think!
The music studio was a very different environment for Kyle, and a total contrast of engaging in music therapy in our living room surrounded by home comforts and familiar things. Kyle took to the studio really well. We had to modify a few things to help him understand the recording process, but all in all he gain confidence in what he was doing and just seemed to innately know what was expected of him. He’s a natural in the recording booth and enjoys every minute of it.

Can you tell us more about your eBook project? What message are you trying to convey from this project?K: The Ebook that we are producing is all about Kyle and his best friend Eddie. Kyle met Eddie at a singing and arts participation group for people on the spectrum, and as a result, he has made a best friend. The Ebook is based on a road trip in a VW Camper van travelling around Mexico, with Eddie behind the wheel and Kyle as his trusted companion. The Ebook was inspired by a holiday to Mexico about five years ago. Kyle really connected with Mexico and his stimming and other out of the ordinary behavioural traits seemed to go unnoticed. The Mexican people expected Kyle and welcomed him into their hearts. The message we are trying to convey in the Ebook is to challenge to myth that people with autism do have the ability to make strong bonds and have social relationships. Kyle and Eddie have fostered a lovely friendship and music & art is at the heart of it.

How many albums have you released so far? What is your favorite composition and why?K: We have released two albums so far and currently working on another song which we aim to release for world autism week. I think our favourite song, titled ‘Sunshine in My life’ from Kyle’s second album ‘Beyond the Syntax’ is our favourite. The song is a celebration of Kyle and the creative life he leads and all that brings him joy. Autism doesn’t mean it has to some milestone that hangs around your neck, I believe Kyle enjoys being who he is now that he has found music as a way in which he can express and connect with others.

Who is your favorite singer and what do you admire about them?K: Kyle likes lots of song artists. I asked him which were his favourites and he said ‘The Beatles, Robbie Williams and Level 42 with a big smile to follow.

What are your other hobbies?K:  Kyle enjoys art and has his own very unique style. Once a week he does screen printing and is working on animation projects. He is a great swimmer and can surf a long board. He also enjoys socialising and dancing with his friends. He loves to travel, has a fascination with foreign countries and diverse cultures.

Who is your inspiration?K: Travel inspires Kyle. He tries to imitate foreign languages, loves to find out about how people live, what food they eat and where they are on the globe.

What is your favorite place to visit?K: Kyle loves Mexico and wants to revisit it again sometime soon.

What do you like to do when you are with your family?K: Kyle likes to engage in activities, especially presenting his Radio Program with Source FM. He has an hour slot and his organises his own play list.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?K: That’s hard to say! I sense Kyle would like to record a few more albums and have a central role in the productions of them. I also see that he would like the chance to perform more with his friend Eddie and run music workshops to help inspire others to embrace music like he has.

Any special message for our community?K: Kyle’s message is find something that you connect with. For Kyle it’s music, for someone else it might be aviation, travel, writing, dance, art whatever. This is the key to creating a door way, a bridge. We expect people with autism to enter this world and its social construct, for Kyle that was never going to be the case. As a parent I had to intuit what Kyle was trying to convey to me. Music is his first language. Our message is feel what someone with autism is trying to convey to you rather than think it!......