John Mikkiah Thompson

Autism Light #181 is John Mikkiah Thompson.

Easter Sunday is known for featuring the life changing music of the Christian faith. For this Easter Sunday we wanted to feature a young man whose life has been touched by autism and whose autism has been touched by Christian music and its message of Christian faith. John Mikkiah Thompson is 18 years old and from Shelbyville, Indiana. He has autism and did not speak until he was age 8. John Thompson is also an up and coming Christian music singer who sings almost every weekend at church somewhere. When not singing John works as a page at the Shelby County Library. John Mikkiah Thompson is an Autism Light for the awareness he brings to autism when he shares his excellent musical talent. 

If you notice John Mikkiah Thompson sings with a lot of heart behind his words, perhaps it is because the music came to this young man with autism before he had any words. And he credits this victory to the act of the God he praises and adores through his music. John's father Grant Thompson said, "By the time John was 8 years old he could listen to just about anything and play it the same day. This is what the Lord used to "unlock" John Mikkiah Thompson's tongue. When he holds that Mic in his hand or sits down behind the piano, a Miracle take splace right before your eyes EVERY SINGLE TIME. All of the autism disappears and you would never, ever known that it even existed."

The following is a video of John Mikkiah Thompson singing his song "I Believe" on GodTube. 

John Mikkiah Thompson from johnmikkiahthompson on GodTube.

Many of John's songs can be heard on videos at his YouTube Channel. Singles of three of his songs are available on his iTunes page as of right now. They are Take the First Step, You Made Me Who I Am, and God Has a Plan for Me. You Made Me Who I Am was written by John's father Grant and a version of him singing this is below.

Dann Veldkamp of The Center Grover Community Newspaper describes John's experience on the stage this way, "Once John Mikkiah's talent was recognized his career started to take off. In 2010, he won the 'Shelby Idol" contest and swept multiple categories in the Franklin Fall Talent Contest. He appeared at the 2010 Indiana State Fair and formed the National Anthem at the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, 2011 (Source)."

The following is a video of John singing at the Strand in Shelby, Indiana. He is introduced with the master of ceremonies reading a letter from his family that tells a story of how autism, music, and faith have been a part of John Mikkiah Thompson's life. 

John Mikkiah Thompson offered the following advice for people with autism about finding success in life:

Never Give Up and the Lord Will Help You!

Social Media: You can follow the work of John Mikkiah Thompson at the following social media:

• Facebook
• YouTube Channel

Booking: John Mikkiah Thompson plans to take his singing on the road in the future. He plans to share his songs of praise to his Lord with many people. If you would like information on scheduling John Mikkiah Thompson to sing at your church or event, please email him at crimsoniu1@embarqmail.com.

Special thanks to John Mikkiah Thompson for singing the songs of praise and blessing churches and community groups with your talent. We expect to hear great things about about your music in the future.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The photo in this post is used with permission of John Mikkiah Thompson.