The Warren Center is proud to introduce a new weekly initiative to highlight nonprofits, businesses, and individuals in North Texas who are helping children and families impacted by developmental disabilities and delays. The series’ name is called #ItTakesAVillage and the idea stems from the idea that it truly takes a village of individuals in the Dallas Metroplex to help families in need and we can’t do it alone. Plus, there’s so many amazing people and organizations that deserve to be recognized for their efforts.
Let us introduce you to Spin the Spectrum, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Courtney Willis, a speech and language pathologist, and Jason Straughter (Jay*Clipp), a DJ instructor. Their mission is to revolutionize society’s perception of autistic and neurodivergent individuals by offering innovative DJ education and music production programs.
The organization started in 2021 after a mother reached out for help with her 5-year-old son’s interest in music. Since then, they’ve expanded to provide inclusive DJ education and music production classes, camps, workshops, and popup camps for individuals of all ages and skill levels. The classes are child-directed, allowing each student to learn at their own pace and focus on their interests.
Courtney and Jay work together to provide visual and communication support during the classes. Positive feedback from parents indicates the significant impact of their efforts, including improved hand-eye coordination and increased confidence and socialization skills.
Spin the Spectrum aims to teach marketable skills to neurodivergent individuals, increasing their opportunities for employment and inclusion in society. Both Courtney and Jay envision the organization expanding beyond the Dallas Metroplex to reach a global audience.