Jaison Henderson, of Ventura, knows a lot about autism. Both of his half-brothers have been diagnosed with the disorder and his wife is a behavior analyst who works with autisticchildren.
Henderson said people often mistakenly pity those with the development disorder, which affects the ability to communicate and interact, but he says that's because they don't understandit.
"There's no real need to feel sorry for these people. In their own minds, they don't feel sorry for themselves," hesaid.
To raise awareness and money, he and best friend Tyler Treves, both members of the group Rubberneck Lions, are putting on a concert. The alternative indie band will play from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday at Zoey's Caf, 185 E. Santa Clara St. in Ventura. Proceeds will benefit the Center for Autism Understanding, Support, and Education (CAUSE) and STAR of California, a division of Support and Treatment for Autism and RelatedDisorders.
CAUSE is a nonprofit agency based in Ventura that enables mental health workers to develop the specialized skills needed to treat children with autism and theirfamilies.
Henderson and Treves have been playing with Rubberneck Lions since high school almost 10 years ago. They are both graduates of Ventura High School and currently work for Howard Rosen Promotion as radiopromoters.
"We've been playing at the El Rey Theatre in L.A.," Treves said. They also have played at the Bombay Bar and Grill in Ventura and a number of other Los Angeles County venues, such as the Whisky a Go-Go and theKeyClub.
Henderson said he has been participating with his brothers in various autism awareness efforts in Ventura, including the recent Westside ArtWalk, which featured a display of art created by people withautism.
"There have been many different events, picnics and the Special Olympics that my little brothers have done. All of that stuff really got me thinking. We've been doing music for the last 10 years," Henderson said. "We want to raise a bunch of money. We want this to be about what a bunch of Ventura artists can do for autism. No has done it withmusicyet."
Henderson said his half-brothers are at both ends of the autism spectrum, with the older of the two diagnosed with a more mild form of the neurodevelopmental disorder. His younger half-brother has a more severemanifestation.
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Ventura band will play to raise awareness and money for autism