About Shades of Gray

The lyrics for “Shades of Gray” were written to promote understanding of the complex characteristics involved with the diagnosis of autism and also to recognize our obligation to develop an active role in the lives of individuals with autism. Acknowledging and learning from the words and/or actions of individuals with autism are keys to developing relationships with them. It is important not only to accept individuals with autism as they are, but to know why they do what they do and act how they act. Learning an individual’s motivations can help us enter his/her world. Acceptance does not have to be a passive event, but a doorway to reciprocal understanding. As we learn from individuals with autism, we are given the opportunity to teach them to better understand their feelings and move beyond tolerance of their world to shared enjoyment.

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How Shades of Gray came to be

Working with children with autism for a number of years inspired me to write a song.  I decided to author “Shades of Gray” from the perspective of someone working with an individual with autism.  The words were meant to teach about the characteristics of autism and empower listeners to act on this knowledge.

A good friend of mine, Jaime, encouraged me to do something with the song.  So, with the help of other friends, we were able to record it.  Robert Montgomery offered his guitar-playing talent for a recording session.  Ron Reed performed the recording and editing, as well as helped to develop this website.

In addition, Jaime and I decided to bring the song to life by creating a DVD of pictures scrolling behind the song.  I asked the parent of a student I work with, Jennifer Sirovey, permission to take pictures of her son, Hunter.  Jaime asked her sister, Kristin McConnell, to photograph Hunter.  After looking over the lyrics of the song, Kristin did an amazing job of capturing Hunter in multiple environments that reflected the ideas the song tries to convey.

-Angela
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