Spec Labs

Spectrum Laboratory is a 501c3 nonprofit that helps artists on the autism spectrum to create original works of film, music and animation. We are about to celebrate our 5th year and we need your help to continue to educate, empower and train neurodivergent youth and adults for jobs in the entertainment industry!

Some of our students have:

-Booked recurring roles on prominent TV shows, such as Domonique Brown & Spencer Harte from the Netflix series "Atypical." We have also been getting our talent numerous auditions for Film, TV & Commercials.
-Written music for an original song on Sesame Street.
-Produced the FIRST EVER virtual reality musical on Autism for Facebook and Oculus.
-Hired to do animation for the feature film “Schlitzie: One Of Us.”
-Just finished production on a fully inclusive short film, “Boys Don’t Wear Dresses”, about a transgender autistic individual, inspired and co-written by student Aloni Schorin, hitting the film festival circuit in 2020. Spec Labs hired neurodivergent artists to work on the film, on and off camera!
-Released 10 full length albums and more than 100 songs from our record label Spec Lab Records, which aims to help our artists find opportunities to promote their music. 

Why we are raising money:

-Four years ago, we had just six students. We now have 50 students and are trying to grow our reach to accommodate 150 students in 2020.
-We provide scholarships for nearly half of our student base, but are facing a growing demand for scholarships we are not yet able to meet.
-Currently we are in multiple locations and space is very limited. We need a dedicated space to expand and build a production facility that can house more film, music and animation projects, as well as accommodate our high demand for more educational and job training programs. 

Some important statistics:

-Less than 3% of all scripted characters are shown to have a disability.
-People with disabilities make up nearly 20% of the population.
-95% of the time, these characters are played by actors without disabilities.
-Unemployment rate in autistic adults, including college graduates, is around 80%.

Help us  continue our mission to provide education, employment opportunities and scholarships for our incredible artists on the spectrum!

Check out our website to learn more at www.speclabs.org

Voice Over Acting Workshop with Tom Kenny! (voice of SpongeBob SquarePants)

In loving memory of Isabella Rose Diorio and as a tribute to her life, her dad is creating a foundation to support artists on the spectrum.    

Bella was only 19 years old when she passed suddenly and unexpectedly from a massive pulmonary embolism.   In her short life, she was both a champion for the underdog and a triumph of the spirit.   Diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum, Bella spent her life learning not to simply manage being functional but instead how to harness it;  how to celebrate, laugh and thrive, and turn a perceived disadvantage into a wholly embraced strength such that it was largely unnoticeable and, moreover, a well from which her art flowed.   Bella's artwork was prolific and had already impacted many lives and would have impacted many more.  We want to turn that into an advantage and create the opportunity that Bella had for other high functioning artists on the spectrum to realize their dreams and the impact they can make.  

Bella used her considerable talent to quell her demons and to further pursue her dreams.  She was the recipient of the largest scholarship offered by Otis College of Art and Design, where she was set to attend in Fall 2020.  

An accomplished artist, Bella has left a legacy of thousands of works ranging from rough sketches to finished pieces.  She worked across all forms of media, though her favorites were professional artist’s marker and digital art.  A frequent attendee and exhibitor at the Anime Expo, Bella had a booth in Artist Alley every year, beginning in 2012 when she was 11 years old.  There she showcased and sold her original art, fan art and commissions, often while cosplaying as her favorite characters. You can view her art at: http://www.SapphireDragonsArt.com

Bella’s last years were ones of laughing, dreaming, drawing, thriving and, most of all, showing us that neurodivergence could be a beautiful asset.

“What can I do?” is a question often asked.   What’s left is Bella’s legacy.   What Bella would want is to support high-functioning autistic artists in realizing their full potential in life.  

We are in the process of setting up a charitable foundation which may take many forms as the foundation unfolds, however one immediate mandate is to create a scholarship for such artists to attend Otis Otis College of Art and Design.  Your tax-deductible donation to the Isabella Diorio Memorial fund (via Spec Labs) will help realize this goal.

Thank you.

Boys Don’t Wear Dresses

A modern day fairytale about the struggles of being an autistic transgender individual exploring friendship and love. A truly inclusive film experience created by and starring autistic, neuro-divergent, LGBTQ, and multi-ethnic artists collaborating with entertainment professionals. This story is inspired by the true life experiences of an autistic transgender individual who co-wrote, co-produced and appears in the film. 
Produced by Spectrum Laboratory a non profit that creates original works of film, music and animation with autistic and neuro-divergent artists.

Story inspired by Aloni Schorin
Script written by Aloni Schorin & Jason Weissbrod
Directed by Jason Weissbrod

A Message from the Director, 

This inclusive film was created by neuro-divergent, LGBTQ, and multi-ethnic artists in collaboration with entertainment professionals. Produced by Spectrum Laboratory, a non-profit arts organization that helps autistic and neuro-divergent artists create original works of film, music and animation. (www.speclabs.org)

I want let you in a bit on how this film was created. A young student I mentor at Spectrum Laboratory, who I have known for almost 15 years now, approached me and wanted to create a film. A story about what it’s like being autistic and gay. Through the process of writing this script, Steven, came out to his friends and family. He told us all that writing this story made him feel confident and more willing to be his true self. Then later in the same year Steven confided in me that he wanted to be a woman, named Aloni. Our script and story then underwent a transitional journey, like Steven to Aloni, and became a film about an autistic transgender individual.

There are many neuro-divergent individuals out there who have trouble with their sexual identity. It is not talked about. It makes many feel uncomfortable and not sure what to do. Aloni and I made this film as a modern day fairytale to help others who are going through similar struggles, as Aloni did and still is, to feel accepted and part of a community. This “PG” approach to a serious and sometimes controversial subject can be a family friendly way of introducing anyone who is on a similar journey, whether it be the individual or a parent, relative, co-worker, etc; making it accessible to all.

We hope you will consider supporting and donating to “Boys Don’t Wear Dresses” to help get our special magical film to as many film festivals as possible. Please feel free to reach out with any questions about the film to Jason at [email redacted]

Best Wishes and Happily Ever After,

Jason Weissbrod
(Director/ Producer)

WATCH "MY HEART IS IN A BOX" the short poetic piece that inspired "Boys Don't Wear Dresses."



to learn more about Spectrum Laboratory please visit
www.speclabs.org