All Things Autism – Pineapple Dance

Hi, you're listening to Anna Kennedy or Talking All Things Autism on Women's Radio station. So today, my very first guest is a very good friend of mine, Maggie Patterson from the amazing Pineapple Performing Arts. Hello, Maggie. Hi, Anna, how are you today? I'm fine, thank you very much. So excited to have you as my first guest. So today we're going to be talking about dance, the benefits at dance. So I've never actually asked you what, when did you first start dancing and what made you want to dance? I started dancing when I was six. I was very shy, believe it or not, and my teacher said to my mum, the only time I came alive was when I was doing musical theatre in Maine and she said, I suggest you take your daughter to ballet. And it all started from there. Oh, well, I started dancing because when I was at school, I used to tap my feet under the desk and I used to drive the teacher mad. The teacher said to my mum, there's a dance class just up the road from the school and it's actually downstairs in a cellar and it's sixpence a class, so that just shows you how your age. Sixpence a class. And I went there and I absolutely loved it. I loved tap dancing, I loved the rhythms. I used to dance to. My mum's twin tub washing machine sort of went, da dum da dum, da dum. And I used to dance next to it and I used to wear the lino out and I just loved dance and I think it was because I had quite a strict dad, I came from an Italian background, so I wasn't allowed to, like, go to my friends houses and things like that. So dance was my escapism and it. And really today with living with autism, dance is my escapism. So I'm so glad that I learned how to dance because I. I just think it's the best feeling ever. So we've been working together now for. Oh, how long is it? About seven years. Seven years, yeah. And we met because I met Debbie Moore at the Woman of the Year Awards and she was sitting on the next table to me and I went over to her and I just said, I have this dream that I would like to do a dance DVD for children with autism. And I'm not talking about something tokenistic, I want it to be cool, I want it to be tutting, locking, popping, all those sort of things, because I'd seen a few, no disrespect, but I'd seen a few around and they were sort of children running around, throwing balls, playing with ribbons. And I just thought, I just want our children to fit in just like everybody else. So Debbie said, come to the office, and we had a little chat and then she invited me to one of your shows, which was at the Mermaid Theatre, and that's where I met you. And I was looking around the theatre and I thought, I wonder if I can put on something like this for children and adults who are autistic. Because I was actually doing an anti bullying campaign at the time and they were starting to send in to me links or YouTubes that they'd put on above them, singing and dancing. I thought, these kids are amazing. So it gave me the idea, I approached you, and then Autism's Got Talent was born. So that's been seven years. Can you remember the very first show that we did? And. And sort of the. I know I was. I remember being sick in the toilet the night before, because Obviously we had 20 performers from across the country that were coming together. You know, we had to put on a show in such a short space of time, rehearsing and all that sort of thing, but it was amazing. So what can you remember from that year? Well, I remember first meeting you and being very excited to meet you because of your energy, enthusiasm and what you wanted for all these kids. So we were very honored to be asked to be part of that. And I have to say, we were nervous. I wasn't actually throwing up in the toilet the night before, but we were a bit nervous about the prospect because we hadn't been dealing with kids with autism previously. But being pioneer Performing arts, we were up for the challenge and we thought it was going to be a great event. And we're. We were used to putting on shows, so we just knew we had to come from it from a different angle with your help and guidance. So we met all the performers the day before, which I know is very important for them to know the venue so that they feel safe in the venue so they can establish when they. The stage area, the backstage, the dressing rooms, something that we're not used to normally. It's just right. Getting kids. Here's where we're doing it. That's right on stage. So it was a very different approach, but myself and my stage manager, Fiona shepherd, amazing. Who is amazing, Very calm, used to working under pressure. And we just took things very calmly. And I think the first performer that came out was the first one that blew us away. And then every performer after that was the same. It was like these. These kids. Adults. Yeah, we had adults as well, were incredible. And they took it in their stride. They did. Because I remember when we were putting it together, Lisa and I, we were getting very excited watching the videos and YouTube clips and even artwork they were sending in, which was amazing poems. We had a comedian, a guitarist, we had a band. It's just so much varied talent. And now we're in our eighth year. I can't believe it. I can't believe that. I know. 8th year and now we've had acts from. Got some acts from America. So quite excited that we're obviously going to be announcing very soon the performer. So it's not a competition. We really thought about this and we thought no, because it's going to add to their anxiety because obviously they're going to be coming along. On the Friday evening we do what's called a meet and greet. So everyone can't come along to that. But who wants to come along? That's fine because they're traveling and we sort of introduced yourselves. And so what we do now is every year we try and bring a few past performers so that they can sort of talk about what the experience been like for them. And we've even got a few performers this year that are not actually in the show, but they want to volunteer, they want to help. Fantastic. So family. And it's building and building. It is, it is. And so we've had acts from Croatia, we've had acts from Sweden, we've had acts from Denmark, we've had entries from the Fiji Islands, from Morocco, from. From everywhere. And it's so difficult to choose. And what we're trying to choose is 20 performers, but Varian acts if you like. So that we've had not all singers, not all 20 singers. You know the word autism's Got Talent, first of all, you think it's competition and it's not, which is great. It's a celebration of these wonderful performance. But the Got Talent, the variety is what you expect from a show that says Got Talent. And that's what you've just said now from all over the globe and a variety of acts. And what is fantastic is. Is what happens behind stage. So we'll talk a little bit about all the friendships that are formed behind stage. So going to go have for a break now. So if you want to find out more about my guest, the lovely Maggie Patterson, you can look on womansradio station.com so chat to you a bit later, Maggie. Yeah, look forward to it. Welcome back. And I'm with my very first guest, Maggie Patterson and we're on women's radio station talking about all things autism. So we were talking about Autism's Got Talent and we were talking about it's not only what happens on stage that's important, it's what happens off stage, behind stage, after the performances, weeks after. They make. They make friends, families make friends. It's just. It's something very special. Autumn's Got Talent and every single performer, every family that actually comes to the event, they say it's something that they'll cherish and they've made so many good friends. What sort of things would you say that you've noticed while we're doing rehearsals, we're behind stage, maybe we're chatting to some of the families and things that are going on. What sort of things have you noticed that maybe you might not notice with your own shows? A very good community feel is an understanding amongst the parents, the carers, what they've all been through or going through. So they've obviously got the times when they're not on stage performing. So they've obviously had sometimes, probably a difficult time to get where they are. So you know that they've got this underlying understanding of each other. Yeah. So you feel that straight away in the room. And they're all so supportive of each other. Like we said before, it's not a competition and it's definitely not a competition. It's a supportive environment. And I think they just, amongst the performers themselves, they're in a place, a safe place because they've meeting like minded, you know, boys and girls, and they're not being judged, not being judged. And they can chat to each other, compare notes. You know, you see them go off into little corners discussing, don't know what they're discussing, looking on their phones, you know, chatting away. I've seen them jamming as well, like jamming together, like. And they've never met each other before and they just sit there and Calvin's on his guitar and we've got singing and rapping. It's just like, it's really special. And I wish we could sort of video those little moments to show that, you know, there is social interaction going on with these kids, there is communication because obviously they say they have difficulties, obviously it's on their terms, but you can see they're making friendships and they're happy and it's like big smiles, I think, because once they've got over the initial fact that they're going to be performing on stage in front of lots of people, also the audience are Very supportive. Because to have an audience that it's, you know, anything goes. Yeah. The audience can be noisy, so they feel, I say, very supported in the environment. And just the kids, like you say, jamming together, making friends. And I said as well, like, long lifetime friendships that formed afterwards, which is great because we see them come back, like you say, some of them are going to be helping backstage and they just want to support each other, which is lovely. Yeah. I remember the first one and one of the parents said that the son or daughter didn't have friend. And then there was another young man and she walked around the corner and there they were, just sitting on the steps with their iPad, playing a game together. And she said she just had to walk away because she got so tearful because she'd never, ever sort of seen that with her son. So this started off these little WhatsApp groups talking to each other. We've even got this year, which I'm going to be announcing very soon, two of the singers have actually formed a duet. So they're going to be singing on this year's Autumn's Got Talent. So I'm really excited to see that. They're going to do a piece from Phantom of the Opera. So that is. I'm really looking forward to that. So that's exciting. Just shows that that's grown from Autumn's Got Talent. So a lot of the performers, it's created some opportunities for them. One of our young ladies that danced that actually didn't walk till she was about 6 or 7, she was seen dancing on Autumn's Got Talent and was asked if she'd like to perform at Her Majesty's Theatre. Wow. So she performed in front of 1600 people, which was amazing. And then from that performance, she was actually asked to dance at Sadler's Wells. So again, she was given another opportunity. Other opportunities that have been created. You heard Kieran Lees and one of the tracks that we played from Building Bridges, which is our very first charity album that we launched last year at the Mayfair. Mayfair Hard Rock Cafe in Mayfair. You know, these singers have been given an opportunity now that they're writing their own songs, they're playing their own music, we've created an album. I went to the Hard Rock Cafe when I first met them. I could see the apprehension, as if to say, oh, I don't know about putting on a show with kids and adults on the Spectrum. Spectrum. But then when I sort of showed him a few of the YouTube clips, he said, brig Nightingale, I can remember, really nice Chap he said, come on, let's give it a go. I always remember on the night, all our charity champions were circling the room just to see what people thought. And there was a few celebs actually going to the bar at the time to get a drink. And Kieran was one of the first people that sang. And as soon as he started singing, they turned around and said, he's really good. And I thought, why shouldn't they be really good? Do you know what? A lot of these people come to our shows. It's a bit tokenistic, as if to say, oh, come on, let's go support the charity. I don't think they really understand that they're going to be entertained and these kids take it seriously. And so do we, and so do you. You know, that's why we work together, because we put on a professional, proper show. And people talk about it, don't they? For weeks and weeks and weeks, they do. And what you've created from your little idea is more than a show, which is brilliant. To hear you talk about the, you know, the friendships, the record, the other events that have come out of that, the opportunities to perform at other prestigious events is fantastic. And also what's come from Autumn's Got Talent, the show is the roadshows. So I've taken it across the country. Yeah, you know, you can pick up my accent from the northeast. I took it to Middlesbrough. We did it at Teesside University. It was amazing. Got fantastic feedback. End of last year, we took it to Essex. Amazing. They want us, you know, they've asked us if we can do it again. And this year we're doing two roadshows. So because I did the People, Strictly Phil Barnett has his own production company, so we're going to be working together and we're taking it to St Ives in July, so we're really excited about that. Amazing. Up and down the country. I know. And then everyone's known about Alderson's Got Talent. This in November, which is our biggest one, will be in Merseyside. So that's an 850 seated theatre. So I'm quite excited about that. And what we're doing is we're taking 10 of the performers from the main show, but we're opening it up, say, to St Ives. So we're saying, is there any performers in St Ives that I'd like to be part of the show? Send in your auditions and then we choose 10 from that area. And again from Merseyside, we choose 10 from that area. So if you're living in St Ives. If you're living in Merseyside, look on our website and all the details are on there. So obviously we have a closing date, so you need to get in quick. So send us in your YouTube link or send us in a CD. However it is that you want to send in your audition, whether you're a singer, a dancer, a comedian, a magician. If you want to send in some artwork, send it in to us and then we'll have a look. And you know what? It's so hard to choose because obviously you want to choose everyone, but you just can't. And I know it's disappointing, but don't knock yourself and think you're not good enough. It's just that we can't choose everyone. Try again. We've had a young person that tried three times and got in the third time. So there you go. Never give up. Never give up. Welcome back to Women's Radio Station. And we're talking all things Autism. I'm back with my lovely guest, Maggie Patterson from Pineapple Performing Arts. Now, Maggie, for the last. I think we're in our fourth year now, we have been given a fantastic opportunity by yourself, for some of our young people and adults to be given a scholarship. So can we talk a little bit about how you found some of our young kids and adults, how they fitted in on your Sunday classes? I know some of them come in the morning, some come in the afternoon and they're doing various different singing, dancing, acting. So can you talk a little bit about how you found it? What about the other kids? What do they think? Yeah, so we took a junior, a teenager and an adult and they have a scholarship for a year with. With the kids. You know, we didn't. We didn't sort of make them feel any different. Yeah, we just integrated them straight away into the class and kept a watchful eye out for anything that we thought, you know, we didn't want to. We speak about being a very inclusive school. Yes. So we have a lot of special needs kids at Pineapple. We don't audition students. Yes. So you've got. You've got a mixed bag anyway. You've got kids from all backgrounds, all races, and then you've got kids with special needs. Yeah. So I. The kids that have joined us haven't had any. What I can see problems with the other children. So all the teachers are aware of their needs and if we, as a team, we've been watching over them, so they might get a little bit. The only things might upset them is if we change studio one week or we change the teacher and we are aware of that, we just take them away, little chat to them and put them back in the class. And because they are so enthusiastic about their dancing, their singing, their drama, they've come to the school with that. So they're no different, the kids in the class anyway. No, because I remember when obviously we put the word out to say that we were offering scholarships, there was a lot of excitement out there, but there's a little bit of apprehension because obviously it's a well known school, you know, how would they, how would they fit in? So that's why I went along on the first day. Yeah. And there was so many children and I thought, oh, I was wondering if they're going to call because I remember, I think you mentioned something about 300 kids registering or coming in on that particular day. And I was thinking, how are they going to cope? But as long as they had their timetable, they knew which room that they were going to. And I asked, if possible, if maybe even they could have a picture of the teacher that was gonna. Yes. Going to be teaching them. So at least they would have one familiar face. So that's why I was there. But I was watching them and they, you know, they looked a little bit apprehensive at first, but then once the music started, if they're into dancing, you could see their body was moving and it was just like, oh, I can do this. And you know, they've been excelling. They have. We've had most like you say, We've got about 350 students in the school and we put on regular performances and we've found a lot of kids that come through the scholarship are picked out to do solos to have a special part in our productions and, and their confidence has grown massively when I, you know, see what. And also I think what they've. We're talking about friendships before, about autism. Got talent. Yeah. They've made friends through the school. Yeah. Because they are like minded. They're all into the same thing. Yeah. So it's a safe place for them to go. Okay, let's talk about a couple of the students. So we've got Aston. Yeah. Aston is one of our ambassadors. Lovely young man on the autumn spectrum. He also was chosen last year for the National Divers Role model for Disability. So that was an amazing award that he got. And he supports me within the charity, so he absolutely loves and so does his family coming to Pineapple. And I've seen him, I've seen Photographs, you know, on social media and just shows how happy he is. He beams. He does. We always get a little post on a Sunday, you know, Happy Sunday. Yeah. So Aston as well, he's. He's in the adult group and the adults absolutely adore him. Yeah. He's such a lovely, kind guy as well as, you know, great talent. So one story about him was the first time his parents were always there and we talked about him coming to the adult social, which is a social night. We have the adults with karaoke and drinks and a bit of fun. He thought about coming. Yeah. First time he thought about coming. We had the social last Sunday. Parents weren't even there. Okay. He was life and soul of the party, jumping around with all his friends and got a lovely post from his mum to say, what have you done to my. Our boy? Yeah. So that has just given him. Yeah, he's flourished. He's flourished since performing on Autumn's Got Talent. He now presents on the radio, our gateway radio. He is a DJ and now he's raising funds for the charity. So he's doing whatever he can because he wants to give back, because he realizes that how it's impacted and changed his life by coming to Pineapple. And he's doing all these fantastic. And he's a great role model. And for me, I choose ambassadors and patrons because a lot of families that are going through the diagnosis process, they can't see light at the end of the tunnel. I know there's a lot of doom and gloom stories about autism. I get that. I've got the T shirt. You know, it's hard. You know, some days are good, some days are not so good. But there is a lot of positive stories out there and that's what our charity is about. It's about supporting families and just say, look what this young man's achieved. Look what this young woman's achieved. Look what. So it's to give light at the end of the tunnel. Another young lad that I can see. Oh, he's. I love him. He's just. He's just excelled his little Callum. So Callum was adopted and he's got such a loving family and he loves street dance. He's also got ADHD as well as autism. Little live wire. But he's just like. You can just see how he has excelled even so much. So when we did that piece on the Chrissy B Show on sky and he sat on the sofa, now, when we first met him, he wouldn't be able to sit on that sofa. He would have Been just, like, twitching about all over. Yeah, he was, but he was just. And his answers. I was just like. I felt like my heart was gonna burst because I was so proud of him, how he. How he just, you know, basically how he's achieved so much. So tell me a little bit about Callum, when he first started and where he is now. Yeah, so Callum is a natural. He's got a natural talent. You know, he obviously was born to dance. He loves, you know, he can't sit still, like you say. And, you know, and it's been difficult for him to start with because he has to conform to what the choreographers. Not just doing his own thing, but within the school. He's been allowed to express himself. He gets, like, freestyle moment in pieces again. He's made lots of friends, as he said on the program. He spoke about one of the girls in the class, and it made me really, you know, warm feeling inside when he said about one of the girls. That's one of his best friends. He has performed at the Albert hall, the Barbican, he's performed at your events. And his standard of dancing is unbelievable. And he's just a great kid to have around. Like you say, his confidence has grown so much. And I think he's got a great future as well. And everyone loves him. They do. I always remember I was at. I think it was Euston Station, and we were supposed to be meeting. Remember where we're going now? But I was looking everywhere and I couldn't see the family because we were going to meet at a certain time. And then I heard the almighty Anna Kennedy, and I just. I was looking at this little tiny tot. He's just like, so small, isn't he? And then he came running over and his face was beaming, and we were sitting on the train and we were chatting away. He's just like such a character. So we talk about the boys. So what about some of the girls who've got scholarships? Yes. So we've got Charlotte, who again, is on the adult course, who's got the most incredible voice. Like I said before, you don't always expect. You know, that's people's sort of idea of what they're gonna. They think they're gonna hear. And then she opens up her mouth and out comes this pure, beautiful voice. She's a very gentle girl. Very gentle. Very. She can get very anxious. She can. And nervy. But we know. We know how to work with her. Yeah. And again, she's another one that her confidence has really grown and she gets so excited doing the lessons and the showcases. I was watching her and she just beams when she's singing. She can see. She just really enjoys what she does. Yeah. I can let you into the secret that it's going to be Charlotte and Calvin that are going to be doing the. So I'm really looking forward to that. And you know what? Because they don't live near each other, they're practicing separately. So I'm really looking forward to. She. She loves practicing as well. She has to get it absolutely right. She does, she does. And she always nails it. So. And we're talking about Autumn's Got Talent, we're talking about scholarships. So if you have a young man or a young lady that is on the spectrum and they might like to be interested in forming for us, if you look on Anna Kennedy online, which is www.anna Kennedy online, and they can enter, obviously we've chosen for this year. So if you want to come along to see the show, to see what it's all about, it's on May 12th at the Mermaid Theater. Again, information on the website if you want to come along to one of our road shows or you want to audition. Again, all the information's on the website. So come along and be wowed. That's what I always remember. When I first did the show, few people came up to me and said, I didn't expect to be entertained. So come along and say it's something special. Hello, this is Anna Kennedy and you're listening to women's radio station and we talk in all things autism and dance today. So I have my special guest with me, Maggie Patterson, and we're going to be talking about the benefits in dance, especially with our young girls and women and some of the girls that I've worked with who have an autism spectrum condition. You know, their, their self confidence is really rock bottom. One particular girl that comes to mind who's in autism with attitude, she came to us with her shoulders rounded, her hair in front of her face because she'd been bullied and she didn't trust anyone. And now she's going to be dancing in the championships in Germany. And we're so excited. So we can talk a little bit about, you know, what it does to your body, why it's so important that you think, Maggie, that young girls should learn to dance. Yeah. We're saying posture first thing that comes to mind because you're, you're very body aware. So first things, posture. Yeah. Through having good posture can help gain confidence. Yeah. At the same Time you're, you're physically working out. Yes. So that's always good for all sorts of reasons. Yeah. So you're building up strength, which is great for your muscles, stamina, which is good for your heart awareness. Yep. So body awareness as well. Big time. And you know, it doesn't matter what shape or size you are. That's the great thing about dance. Yes. Especially street dance. Yeah. So it's, it's giving young women a chance to physically work out without having to do rigorous press ups and run around a gym. And because of the music, you know, whether into musical theater or street dance, they often, you know, so when you're dancing to music that you enjoy. Yeah. You don't sometimes realize how hard you're working. Yeah. So lots and lots of benefits. And also working as a team as well because often when you're picking up choreography, you've got to work together. So it builds up your teamwork skills as well as working on your own performance and confidence. Yeah. It's a feel good factor and it's fun. And I remember when I did Strictly with Robin, I'd forgotten to have fun because I'm so focused on what I do. So then when I had those sort of three months of working with him and dancing with him and just having fun and you know, I had, I was, I was a bit serious at some point and because it was the Charleston, I had to sort of focus on my face. I found that really hard. So he said, don't be Anna, be Betsy. So he says, I'm going to call you Betsy. So because Betsy, you know, just we just spent one hour just working on facial expressions and I found that really, really hard. Like the dance bit was easy for me. It was the facial expressions. So. And it was just trying to relax because I find it difficult to relax. I've been to where someone has, you know, treated me to go and have a back massage. And I always remember I was having a massage and you have your face in this like hole on this bed and she says, oh, relax, I am relaxed. She said, you're nuts. And she was trying to relax me. But you know what? Dancing makes me feel relaxed and it's just that feel good factor. And I have my autism free zone every Thursday because I go to Zumba and that's. It almost recharges me for the week. It's like weird. I go there thinking, oh, I've got any energy, you know, I haven't slept all night or whatever it is. And then Gabrielle or Adrian, whoever's my Zumba teacher. We almost have like a dance off. He just thinks. He says to me, I don't know where you get your energy from. I don't know where you get your energy. I think it's the stress that I've had all week. Yeah. Take it out on the dance off dancing. So, yeah, that's a really interesting point, though, because we're just talking about, you know, being on the autism spectrum and the benefits of dance. But you're talking as a mum. Yeah. So that's really, really important for respite for. Yeah, to go out and enjoy yourself. Let your hair down for mums and dads. Yeah. Definitely finding a good dance class. And it can be anything. It could be tap. Yeah. Ballet, street dance. Yeah. You know, dance is for everybody. Yeah. And what's so important is parents are always fighting for their children and, you know, staying up at night or whatever it is that they're doing with their kids who've got autism. But you need to take time out because if you burn out, who's going to look after you? Yeah. Who's going to look after the kids? So you need to try and find something. Even if you just walk around the block, shut the door in the bathroom, jump up and down and scream, whatever it is, just do something for yourself. And that's why I started dancing, because I stopped dancing for 10 years and I felt like my arm had been cut off. Yes. And it was because I was so focused on my boys, because, you know, Patrick was premature and he had all these problems going on and Angelo was born and no sleep, and I just. I felt I had to focus on them all the time because I felt guilty having time for myself. And then I picked up a newspaper and I saw an advert that said, tap for fun. I thought, that's where I need to go. So I. I started off doing tap dancing and I just felt like my life was coming back through me and it just gave me lots more energy. And I think seeing you on Strictly was a wonderful moment for lots of parents to see. Yeah. Everyone was following me. They're loved. And I danced nine more times after that. And then now Robin's going to be doing a farewell tour and I'm going to be dancing with him in November. So I'm excited about that as well. Don't know how for the time, but that is wonderful. Well done, Anna. Thank you very much. So thank you very much, everyone, for listening to women's radio station All Things Autism. And we'll be back very soon. And thank you, Maggie. You're a great friend, and you've just supported the charity so much, and I just want to say thank you very much. Thank you.