“My overall hope and dream is for my book to reach the right people.” 

Elijah G. is a Cedar Ridge student-artist who recently published his first book, a graphic novel titled “The Ups and Downs of Autism with and by Mr. Ariel,” based on his personal experience as a student with autism. 

Elijah, who has been creating comics for years,  will attend Round Rock High School's 18+ program and said sharing his book with the “right people” means sharing it with everyone. 

“When I was younger, I wanted my comic strip to be in the newspaper like Garfield or Peanuts,” he said. “All of that was just a dream, but now that I was able to actually get a book done and published, it is such an accomplishment.”

Elijah drawing comics.

With his mother's support, Elijah was able not only to complete his first book but also to share it with others. 

“He is a perfectionist,” said Ivelisse Belliard. “He wants to give people his best.”

Even with his desire to create, Elijah said that his bigger mission was to inform. He knows from experience that others haven’t always understood life through his eyes.

“What motivated me was knowing how kids my age didn't really understand autism and would make fun of me without really understanding my struggles,” he said. “What I really want is for students who don’t have autism or other disabilities to understand that we are much more than just hand-flapping, head-down, stimming individuals who could really use empathy from others. 

“We see the world differently,” Elijah said. “But we really just want what everyone else does, and that is to be accepted and not judged by how we look or what we do at times.”

Support for students 

In partnership with families, Round Rock ISD school teams determine what’s known as the “least restrictive environment” for special education students.  Shared learning environments are key to supporting student success.

Special education encompasses a wide range of services to support students' abilities, disabilities and needs, and, like Elijah, Round Rock ISD students are able to find their interests, grow their skills, and find a place where they feel a part of their shared community. 

Executive Director of Special Education Services Mark Gabrylczyk said that once students reach secondary school, transition plans are put in place to support each student’s goals after graduation.

“The 18+ program is a very critical program for students with needs in areas of vocational training, job coaching and preparing students with workforce and soft skills,” Gabrylczyk said. “One of our biggest goals in this department is to strengthen our program for students in secondary to continue to have transitional services to support their college, career and military needs to ensure they’re successful once they leave our district.”

Elijah’s longtime special education teacher while at Cedar Ridge, Valerie Alexis, said she was thrilled that Elijah had found such a meaningful way to express himself and connect with others. 

"As a special education teacher, I also hoped that I could be a positive influence on how students learn to accept themselves and appreciate the differences in one another,” she said. “Socializing can sometimes be difficult, and Elijah has always had a desire to connect with others. His artwork is definitely one of the ways he is able to make connections. He loves sharing his art with other people."

A page from Elijah’s book.

What’s next for Elijah on his creative journey? He said that it’s continuing to create connections with others. 

Elijah with his completed book.

“I want to have a future career making cartoons. Working with PBS and making an animated series with Brad featuring Mr. Ariel! That will be really awesome. People say shoot for the stars, but I am aiming for the galaxy because I see how dreams can come true.”

Photos courtesy of Elijah and family.