I entered a basement and found myself in front of a motley group of people sitting around a table, introducing themselves. Some composers, some singers , some lyricists and a few parents. To an onlooker it was just another meet and greet but what set this one apart was the fact that the songs were written by non-verbal autistic kids who sat at the table, at par, with the rest of the team – not left out, not left ignored. This was about them. This was the Lynx Project.

The Lynx Project was born out of the passion of two musicians – Caitleen Kahn and Megan Moore who looked at these often unacknowledged and forgotten about non-verbal autistic kids and realized that there is much more to them that the world needs to know about than just their diagnosis. Megan attributes her passion to her sister who is a Special Education teacher. She wants the world to listen to what these kids are saying and help change perception about non-verbal autism. Caitleen believes the project has totally changed her world view and given her a new perspective. This has made her listen harder and ,be more patient and more accepting of everyone.

Though the project is only in it’s 2nd year, Caitleen and Megan have found a group of equally passionate composers and singers who wanted to be the voice for the immensely touching and deep poems that these kids have written. Travis is a composer. He thinks being a part of this project gave him a window into the community that he knew very little about .He is astonished at how misinformed he was about individuals who are non-verbal and how much the Lynx Project has changed his outlook for the better. Tariq-Al-Sabir agrees. He too is a composer. Growing up with a brother who has Cerebral Palsy has made him more sensitive. He says that rather than coming in with an agenda, he wanted to be a part of this project because this opportunity deserved the same respect , time and effort as any other project. During my conversation Tariq mentioned the word “joy” multiple times -clearly this was more than just a project to him.

I moved around the room, watching in awe how these non-verbal kids fitted in so effortlessly when there is so much acceptance and mutual respect. It felt normal. It felt right. I have a 9 yr. Old non-verbal son and I know how invisible he is to most people. So *this* felt like home. I noticed a boy talking to his mom through his iPad about how emotional he was being in that room and how happy he felt being part of this project. I could see the excitement in his eyes, the enthusiasm that the Lynx Project is working hard to share with the rest of the world. I asked a mom why she wanted her son to be a part of this project and she said that it made him feel like he is a part of the society and that he can also contribute in some way. Her son Kenta has written some lovely poems for the project. Another mom was overwhelmed to be involved. She said her son felt honored to be a part of this effort because her 16 yr old has never been asked to do anything. Something she said especially struck a chord with me. She said that we are constantly invited to concerts, theater and sporting events of other kids but as moms of autistic children we rarely get that opportunity to send out such invites. This project gave her her chance – her son’s moment of glory that she could bask in. His accomplishments that was there for the whole world to see. Lynx project helped her get her smile back and her son his self-esteem .

The meet and greet followed a dress rehearsal in the evening. This was not a casual endeavor. The team was not doling out pity to these kids. It was real, honest effort to give their best and showcase the talent that’s hidden behind that silence.

The day of the concert was magical. Beautiful melodies and soulful poems made the event an astounding success. The poems were displayed on a screen for everyone to see, especially their non-verbal creators who shone loud and bright that night. The concert was an ode to the spirit of these kids who are very often assumed unimportant and irrelevant. It was a salute to their creativity and their very being. As I left the concert , of the many things I took back, I carried with me pride and hope. This was the Lynx Project. A project of hope. A project of respect.