SEQUENCE OF LEAPS
My sequence of leaps journey
Hi! I’m Maia Claire Garrison, Chairperson of the Orange Special Education Parent Advisory Council (OSEPAC) and the Founder/Director of Sequence of Leaps, an arts-centered enrichment program supporting the neurodivergent community in Orange and West Orange, NJ. I created Sequence of Leaps in 2018 because, like many autism parents, I found myself navigating systems that weren’t designed with our children in mind.
Before my son was born, I built a vibrant career as a dancer, choreographer, and performance artist working in New York City and abroad. I imagined returning to that world once Salif started preschool. Instead, he kept getting asked to leave programs that couldn’t support him. Each dismissal made the truth clearer: our community needed spaces where neurodivergent children were not only welcomed, but understood, celebrated, and given room to thrive. Sequence of Leaps grew from that need.
When I first learned of Salif’s autism diagnosis, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. At the time, I was enrolled in the School Health Education Program at New Jersey City University, pursuing a Master of Science in Health Sciences. As Salif's neurological differences became more apparent, I was overwhelmed by dread and uncertainty. With a desire to advocate for my son more effectively, I delved into learning everything I could about autism spectrum disorder, speech delays, ADHD, and special education.
In 2014, for a host of autism related reasons, I dropped out of Graduate School and relocated to Altamonte Springs, Florida where I was able to earn a certification in Dance K-12 from the Florida Department of Education, along with certificates in Child Growth and Development (CGDR), Culturally Competent Nursing Care (CCNC), Health, Safety and Nutrition (HSAN), and Special Needs Appropriate Practices (SNP).
Four years later, while working as a dance educator at O2B Kids in Altamonte Springs, I started developing educational programs for children with autism. Partnering with Speech Innovations of Central Florida, I launched A Berry Special Day, an event designed to offer an immersive experience for special needs children.
In 2019, we moved back north and settled in Orange, New Jersey, where I began partnering with Orange Public Schools and other local organizations dedicated to supporting children affected by autism. Having experienced firsthand the challenges so many families face, I built Sequence of Leaps to offer meaningful enrichment programs and resources.
In May of 2026, I was thrilled to receive the HANDS Community Leadership Award. This incredible honor has fueled my passion to continue my mission of helping children and parents feel connected to the broader autism community. I'm excited to see how our arts-centered, compassionate programming can empower families to find peace and connection, even in the midst of ongoing challenges.
