Autism with DJ: Our Story

Hello! My name is Sparkle Allen Hoston and I am the founder of Autism with DJ, an advocacy project aiming to increase awareness and support families impacted by autism. Autism with DJ was created in March 2022 and is largely based on my experiences as a mother raising a child on the spectrum. My son, De’Unte Hoston Jr. (“DJ”), was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and a developmental language disorder in January 2021. He was 3 years old.

The Beginning: Abstractions By DJ

Autism with DJ initially started as Abstractions by DJ in December 2020. My family and I were struggling to adjust to the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic caused, particularly the closing of DJ’s daycare center, and I was desperate to find something to occupy my son’s time. My sister suggested that DJ take up painting and she provided him with some materials to get started. One day while watching my son paint, a thought came over me- “You should create a Facebook page, post pictures of DJ’s artwork, and sell it!” And so, I did just that.

DJ earned quite a bit of money for his paintings and they were in high demand. He would use his earnings to buy some of his favorite things like toy cars, puzzles, and chicken nugget Happy Meals from McDonald’s. After his autism diagnosis, however, the focus of Abstractions by DJ shifted and we began using his earnings to help cover the cost of services he needed, like ABA therapy.

Overtime, DJ’s interest in painting faded, largely due to my push for him to create and sell more artwork. I started to feel like I was forcing my son to paint and that wasn’t a great feeling. Moreover, matters with my son and his diagnosis were weighing on me and I needed help. I turned to YouTube hoping to find educational videos on autism. I came across a lot of useful information, but it was presented by individuals and families who weren’t of color. Another thought entered my mind, “Create your own YouTube channel!” I began recording, editing, and posting videos of DJ on YouTube under the name Autism with DJ. Shortly after, I changed the name of Abstractions by DJ Facebook page to coincide with the YouTube channel.

Autism with DJ Gains Momentum Amid Family Challenges

Many things took place within my family following the start of Autism with DJ’s YouTube channel. The most challenging of them all- separating from my husband and adjusting to life as a single mother of a child on the spectrum and another child on the way. I needed an outlet, an escape- something positive and impactful that I could devote my time to. It was then that I decided to revamp Autism with DJ into an advocacy project. I created an Instagram page, TikTok account, and launched Autism with DJ’s website with the help of friends from Raspy Entertainment and Flava1 Radio. I continued to post videos of my son’s journey and the highs and lows that I experienced while trying my best to support him. I also shared moments with my daughter, Salem, who was born just a few months after Autism with DJ began.

Slowly but surely, Autism with DJ’s following grew- people seemed to really enjoy watching me and my children go about our daily lives. It was a video of my daughter cooing to the sounds of Mariah Carey, however, that brought attention to us and pushed our following to new heights. I started receiving comments and direct messages from people across the country and world thanking me for sharing my family and experiences as a mother raising a child with autism. People also shared their experiences caring for their children and asked for advice and support. With this, I began posting videos sharing general information about autism- what it is, signs and characteristics, resources available, and so on. Later, I added blogging to Autism with DJ’s website and created a parent support group encouraging caregivers to join me monthly online.

Family Reunites and Carries On the

Mission to Help Others

In January 2023, me and my husband, De’Unte Sr., reconnected. This caused the dynamic of Autism with DJ to shift a little where conversations about love, marriage, fatherhood, and the black family were taking place. Our followers were overwhelmingly supportive of our reunion and enjoyed learning about autism from a father’s point of view. My husband became really involved- responding to comments, answering questions, and sharing parts of himself that people found relatable and entertaining. De’Unte Sr. also worked behind the scenes, helping to produce programs and services that met family needs.

In February of this year, we joyfully welcomed Baby Deion as the newest member of our family. We also hosted our second annual virtual conference, sustained our financial award program, and partnered with A Friend like Zeek, Sensor E, and Spirited Play Labs to bring back our sensory-sensitive haircutting event, now lovingly called Vilma’s Cutz for Kids. We are thrilled to continue our mission of supporting families impacted by autism while sharing our experiences on this journey. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our community, partners, and volunteers for their steadfast support.

---

Learn More About Autism with DJ

To learn more about Autism with DJ, please visit our website at www.autismwithdj.com. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @AutismwithDJ. For inquiries, feel free to reach out via phone at (209) 305-3568 or email us at autismwithdj@gmail.com.