Welcome to JonathanChase.net!

I am an adult with Asperger's Syndrome living in Portland, Oregon.  For over twelve years I have worked as a professional musician but now I split my time between music and advocacy work for the Autism community.  You can also see what I'm up to on Facebook!

Advocacy

I have served on the Autism Society of Oregon's board of directors for three years, and I have been involved in numerous ASO projects including the role of chair for the 2011 ASO Fall Conference.  I am the first person with ASD to serve on the ASO board.  I also worked with many groups including presenting for ARRO, serving on the Oregon Commission on ASD, and as a member of the Portland Autism Group.  I am also available as a personal advocate to assist families and professionals.

Speaking

I offer my services as a speaker, sharing a story of overcoming adversity in school through self advocacy.  I speak to parents, teachers, and both children and adults with ASD.  My focus is on self advocacy and awareness, problem solving, lowering daily stress in school, and getting outside the "bubble" to try new things and develop the skills necessary to thrive not only in school but in adult life as well.  My goal is to offer perspective as someone who has been there and understands, whether it's helping a teacher or councilor understand a student or offering new ideas to a support group.  I have spoken at conferences, on panels of both professionals and adults on the spectrum, to small private groups of teachers and larger gatherings of parents, students, and special educators.

Music

I began playing the bass guitar when I was 14 years old, and played my first real gig when I turned 15.  At the age of sixteen I was offered a full-time job with a local blues band and left school to pursue a career in music (and yes, I did get my GED later on).  I worked full time in Portland and around the northwest playing blues, disco, R&B, soul, and classic rock at bars, private parties, and weddings.  When I was 18 I took my first trip to Nashville to study at Victor Wooten's Bass / Nature Camp.  Since then I have made a number of trips to Nashville and also performed with the Victor Wooten Band several times around Oregon.  I'm available as a private music teacher working with both bass and guitar students, and I work as a freelance musician in Portland.  Over the years I've worked with many local acts playing everything from blues to soul to disco to jazz fusion.  I also perform a solo show which is primarily light jazz music.