Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center

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Some Southern California musicians shattering stereotypes this autism awareness month. Tonight, CBS LA’s Reno Nano shows us how they’re turning neuro differences into an artistic superpower.

One, two, three, four.

Roberto on the keys, Justin on congas, Hunter on the sacks, Robert on bass, Jesus on timbales, and Joanna on the mic. They are the magnet ensemble.

They’re some of my special kids.

Every single member here is neurodeiverse. They’re diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia. For 20-year-old Roberto
Reyes and his older brother, Jesus, it’s autism. Their mother was desperate to find support when they were young.
She came across an article saying how music can have a big impact.

And it has. For Roberto, he was one when he first came to the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center, or Octac, for music therapy. The Santa Ana nonprofit provides arts and therapy programs to lowincome and special needs families.
Growing up, I was bullied u for the way I acted.

Reyes says making friends at school was hard when he was younger and he struggled with his physical coordination.
But when he began taking piano lessons at Optac at 7 years old, things changed.

Four words, you can do it. Music coordinator Phoebe Stansel says Ray’s musical and emotional growth has been lifechanging.
Many times there is a stigma when they have a disability, but I feel like if you give them a platform and you actually hear their voice, not necessarily the voice, but the voice of their instrument or whatever skill that they have. It’s a power.

Five years ago, she gathered a group of neurode divergent students and launched the Madman Ensemble. Since then, they’ve performed all over Orange County. Some members wear earplugs to limit noise.

Others avoid eye contact, but Reyes says their performances speak for themselves.

He tells me what started out as a simple therapeutic tool turned into his passion.

It’s been amazing. To be honest, if I was never diagnosed, I probably would have never started my musical journey. a journey he says he’ll continue for the rest of his life.

Never underestimate us, that we too are also capable of doing great things. And watch out cuz maybe one of these days you’re going to see all of us excel in ways that people would never imagine.

In Santa Ana, I’m Marina, CBSLA.

Sounds so good, too. Thanks so much for watching CBS LA at 8. CBS LA at 9 starts right now.