Tyler Barnett: Autism Advocacy with GAP Music and Empowerment

Send us Fan Mail Tyler Barnett on Late Autism Self-Diagnosis, Masking, and Creating “Gap Music” for Regulation Host Tony Mantor welcomes Tyler Barnett, founder of Tyler Barnett PR and an artistic music creator focused on empowering the autism community through intentional sound design and storytelling. Tyler shares that he is autistic and was diagnosed six months ago through self-diagnosis supported by years of personal data and extensive testing, after his 10-year-old daughter repeatedly told him he was autistic and he explored the topic through ChatGPT. He describes lifelong differences including deep special interests, pattern recognition, challenges in educational environments, learned eye contact, and complex masking as a professional communicator, as well as past misdiagnoses such as bipolar disorder and being medicated incorrectly. T yler discusses mixed reactions when disclosing autism, including denial from some family members and acceptance from others, and explains how masking involved mirroring facial expressions and behavior to make others comfortable. T yler also talks about his daughter Lucy’s official autism diagnosis, her strengths (friends, eye contact, dance talent) alongside daily school distress, meltdowns, and limited understanding from her school team about autism in girls. He explains how the diagnosis has improved family dynamics, increased empathy, and helped Lucy feel less isolated, while also describing how he can help regulate her during meltdowns. The conversation shifts to Tyler’s music: electronic, lyric-driven work combining traditional production with AI vocals and emergent elements. He explains his “gap music” concept—music designed for emotional regulation using structures like 3-6-9 tension/expansion/release loops and pattern shifts across genres (classical, choir/mantra, dubstep, hip hop) to create soothing but unpredictable listening experiences. Tyler says he has not formally released the project widely but has received strong feedback from neurodivergent listeners and notes that his daughter, wife, and dog fell asleep when hearing it.