Meet Jon D.

When Jon Delancy was diagnosed with autism at 13, it marked the beginning of a journey that would challenge him—but never limited him. Instead, Jon embraced his diagnosis as part of his story, channeling his energy and creativity into something extraordinary: Zumba, a high-energy fitness program that combines dance and aerobic exercise, set to upbeat music inspired by Latin and international rhythms. 

Through his passion, Jon turned obstacles into opportunities, inspiring others with his resilience and vision. He became the first autistic certified Zumba instructor in the United States—a milestone that set the stage for his incredible advocacy work. Over the years, he has organized more than 100 Zumbathon events across the country, raising awareness and fostering community for those with autism and their families and friends. His collaborations with Autism Speaks have touched countless lives, with events in cities like Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, and Las Vegas creating waves of positive change. 

Jon’s mission doesn’t end here. He’s dreaming bigger than ever—writing his first book and expanding his Zumbathon events to international audiences. His determination and heart continue to shine as he pushes boundaries and amplifies his message. 

We recently sat down with Jon to learn more about his remarkable story and his dedication to making a difference. Trust us—you’ll want to hear what he had to say! 

Tell me a little bit about your story.  

I’m autistic, and I've been teaching Zumba for ten years now. As part of my advocacy, I do a lot of Zumba events across the country.  

When were you diagnosed with autism?  

I was first diagnosed with autism when I was 13 years old. There are many symptoms of ratios and different types, but that's when I first learned.

How did you feel when you received that news?  

I was different at the time, but I understood why I was so smart and intelligent, as those on the spectrum seemed to know stuff and have geniuses and strong IQs. So, I didn't think twice about it. 

Was it difficult for you to make friends as a child?  

The hard part was a struggle to fit in with others in a classroom setting. So, it's not challenging anymore because I'm learning more about it.  

How did you overcome those challenges as you matured and learned more about yourself? 

I'm just doing these Zumbathon events, reaching out, answering questions, and saying, if I do it, you can do it too. Putting hope out there, you know, not keeping it in a box, but just being an open book and talking about it, telling my story to people, witnessing, reaching out, being, you know, all of us have our gifts and talents. I started Zumbathon events in April 2018. That's when I started traveling around and doing them with various service providers and whatnot.  

What inspired you to get into Zumba?  

Staying physically fit inspired me, as did people, relationships, socialization, and music. Why not just dance and say physically fit simultaneously, putting two and two together? I never knew I'd become certified or start teaching, but why not?  

How does it feel to be the country's first certified Zumba autistic instructor?  

It feels good because I pave the way for other people.  

What does it mean for you to be an ally to the autism community?   

I just know that I can make a difference for other people, even people I get to meet down the road. I'm not looking to win a trophy or anything, but just know that you make a difference. I sleep better at night and look forward to teaching Zumba in class. Also, returning to my high school and talking with students about autism awareness means a lot to me. I’m grateful to Autism Speaks for this opportunity and look forward to potentially doing more events soon.

What advice would you give to autistic people who want to share their stories?    

Just be yourself. And when you tell your story, remember that it could be somebody else. You never know when they need to hear it, though. It could inspire them never to give up. Just tell your story. Tell it your way. That's amazing.  

You can reach Jon here.