Celebrating Maia Claire Garrison
Creating Space for Every Child to Shine
Maia Claire Garrison, Founder and Director of Sequence of Leaps, is redefining what inclusion looks like through the arts. Her organization creates joyful, family-friendly experiences for children with autism—offering performances, classes, and creative outlets designed with their needs in mind. From sensory-friendly shows to movement-based workshops, Maia Claire is building spaces where every child is welcomed, supported, and celebrated.
Her journey began with her son. After his autism diagnosis, Maia Claire found herself navigating an unfamiliar and isolating new world. “The rug got pulled out from under me,” she shared. “I was trying to understand how to connect with my child in a new way.” At the time, Maia Claire was an accomplished dancer and teaching artist, but she struggled to find programs designed with her son in mind. That gap became her calling.
“I realized I had to start creating what didn’t exist,” she said. In 2019, Maia Claire launched Sequence of Leaps, designing programs specifically for children on the spectrum. What began as a personal solution quickly became a vital resource for families seeking connection, creativity, and community.
Today, Maia Claire’s impact extends across Orange and beyond. As Chair of the Orange Special Education Parent Advisory Council, she partners with Orange Public Schools and a wide network of community organizations, including the West Orange Arts Council, The West Orange Hispanic Foundation, Puras Paletas, Gifts in Good Company, We’ve Got Friends, and WOSEPAC. Through these collaborations, she is strengthening access, awareness, and support for families navigating disability.
An artist-in-residence at Luna Stage in West Orange, Maia Claire remains deeply engaged in her craft—performing, directing, choreographing, and teaching. Her work blends artistry with advocacy, creating performances uniquely designed for children and youth with autism. Productions like Step Into My World and her “Ausome Musical Theatre” workshops center neurodiverse experiences, while her sensory-friendly approach ensures children can fully participate—free to move, express, and be themselves.
For Maia Claire, this year’s Community Leadership Awards theme, “The Future is All of Us,” is rooted in inclusion. “So many families feel isolated because their children aren’t always welcomed into traditional spaces,” she said. “We need to create environments where everyone belongs.” She believes awareness and education are key—not just for families directly impacted by disability, but for the broader community.
“We don’t always understand until we’re part of it,” Maia reflected. “But the more we learn, the more compassionate and inclusive we can become.” She sees younger generations already embracing this mindset, with greater openness and empathy toward differences.
“My son is my why,” Maia Claire reflected. “And this work connects me back to my soul—my creativity, my purpose, and my desire to help others.” Through Sequence of Leaps, she is not only creating opportunities for children with autism—she is building a more compassionate, connected community where every child has the chance to shine.
