Memphis rapper Kia Shine provides gift cards, sensory toys to children with autism

Memphis rapper Kia Shine and his wife Queen Coleman knew there was something different about their young son Jameson. The toddler didn’t seem to make much eye contact. He had missed early childhood milestones. Still, they were surprised when he was diagnosed with nonverbal autism in 2012, just before his second birthday.

Their love for Jameson didn’t diminish; Shine emphasized that kids with autism “aren’t less than, they’re just different than.”

But those differences were initially daunting. The couple didn’t know anything about autism. How would they toilet-train a child who didn’t speak? When Jameson went outside, what would happen if he struck out on his own?

“We just didn’t expect it,” said Shine, who is also a songwriter and producer. “It's a tough thing to not hear your child speak and to understand that. It’s a lot to come to terms with.”

As time passed, however, the two became adept at raising Jameson and figuring out his needs. Wanting to help other parents who also have children with autism, they started to share their struggles, what they had learned from their experiences, and resources.

Then, last year, Shine and Coleman took their efforts a step further, founding the nonprofit Autism Advocates. And this holiday season, they’re using the organization to help local students with autism, as well as those who support them.

'Bringing joy'

Through Autism Advocates, Shine and his family have launched the “Give to Receive” program, which is benefiting students with autism at 15 schools in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district from Dec. 12-16. As part of the program, 161 families and 22 teachers are being given $100 Kroger gift cards, and the schools’ sensory rooms for children with autism are each getting about $500 worth of new toys and equipment.

These toys were presented to students by not just Shine, but Ace, Autism Advocate’s mascot ― a dog that children tend to be big fans of.

“They absolutely love him,” Shine said. “It's just bringing that joy to them, letting them know somebody cares about them.”

Shine hopes the parents know they’re also cared about, and that the Kroger gift cards can benefit them this Holiday season. As Jameson’s father, he knows feeding a child with autism isn’t always easy. Their eating habits can be different, and they might grow fixated on one food. Jameson, for example, loves Cheerios. Shine must buy box after box of it.

“It’s more expensive for parents who have kids with autism, than neurotypical children,” King said. “With groceries being so high right now, we’re trying to come in and give Kroger gift cards to parents of these children, so they can have a little something extra for Christmas.”

'For all of 24'

Just as Shine is aware of the eating habits of children with autism, he understands it’s important for them to have effective teachers – which is why they’re getting gift cards, too.

“Our son had a tough time at school until he got the right teacher,” Shine said. “And the teachers aren’t paid very much. We’ve got to be able to let them know that we appreciate their time and effort.”

Odds are this won’t be the last time Shine and his family make their appreciation known because they’re not about to call it quits.

“We’re going to be back around doing things,” Shine noted, “for all of 24.”

And as he and his family continue to support families with autism, they’ll continue to take care of Jameson. Shine and Coleman don’t have everything figured out; he admits that parenting is still a “challenge every day.”

But they love their son with autism, and just as they’ve helped him over the years, he’s helped them. Jameson, Shine explained, is intelligent and empathetic. He can recall a time when he and his wife "had a little tiff." Jameson grabbed both their faces, pulled them together, and made them kiss.

“Me and my wife broke down crying,” Shine said. “Jameson, he’s an empath. He just feels things, and he’s so smart... He’s a special kid.”

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis rapper Kia Shine surprises families with children with autism