DJ on the Autism Spectrum Makes use of Musical Mixes to Share His Distinctive Expertise with Others
Diego Vargas fell in love with music when he was in sixth grade. That’s when he started playing the saxophone. He later became involved in his school’s drama group and joined the high school band. And now he’s also a DJ and sound engineer, coordinating the sound at New Life Baptist Church on Sundays and mixing music the other days of the week for people to dance and party to at various events. It’s his way of connecting with people.
Diego, who is on the autism spectrum, attends Fresno City College in California. He says his autism has left him struggling with below-average cognitive abilities, difficulty solving problems, and problems with social interaction. But his DJing and music production has opened up a new avenue to communicate with others in a low-pressure way.
“I just love the fact that I created something that they dance to,” he says. “It’s such a great feeling. Let’s just say anything with a fader or a few knobs, I’ll take care of it!”
Diego, who plays his music as DJ Ne10, is glad he broke into the world of making his own music instead of just playing things that others have created.
“DJ Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Benny Benassi… these people who were big DJs back then, I always thought I wanted to be like them,” he says. “Years later, I realized there was more to it than just DJing. That’s why I got into music production, audio engineering, starting from scratch…I love that about the basics.”
Diego hopes that one day he will work in a studio or stadium and make unique music that he can share with the world.
“There is so much you can do. They say the sky’s the limit, but your imagination is literally the limit,” he says.
Diego’s latest playlist, the Spectrum EP, is something he hopes can help other people understand what his day-to-day life as a person on the autism spectrum is like. “It’s kind of showing what it’s like to be autistic, not seeing it but hearing it,” he says.
Many people on the spectrum struggle with not feeling seen in their communities. For Diego, however, it’s all about being heard. And we’re so glad he’s found his niche by making music that people enjoy and expressing himself in a unique way too.
Find out more about his music on his website or watch the video below for a glimpse into the life of this amazing young man and the legacy he is leaving through his music.
