The winter sky may be dull and grey, but inside Salmon Arm Secondary, a colourful display of 香蕉视频直播減aper people香蕉视频直播� brightens one of the hallways.

Many of them are life-sized and all feature large, black eyes, with long, dangling arms and barely discernible penciled smiles. Most of them have their feet turned outwards.

They are the work of Leifen Mitchell-Banks, a 19-year-old student who is on the autistic spectrum. And, while he does not communicate in the same way as the majority of people, his art speaks volumes.

Mitchell-Banks is extremely bright and gregarious.

He is described by his team, art teacher Chris Schielke and education assistants (EAs) Karen Beggs and Debbie Parke as being 香蕉视频直播渄ifferently abled.香蕉视频直播�

Unburdened by the notion of peer pressure, if he hears music he likes, he will stop what he is doing and dance, says Parke, who has worked with Mitchell-Banks for four years.

香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 got a love of life, a joy,香蕉视频直播� adds Beggs. 香蕉视频直播淎nd this school is so accepting.香蕉视频直播�

Schielke agrees and says the kids in the art room are not only welcoming, they love it when he香蕉视频直播檚 there because he香蕉视频直播檚 so animated.

The talented and prolific artist began drawing at the age of eight or nine when he attended Carlin School.

香蕉视频直播淒rawing opened the door for communication,香蕉视频直播� says Parke, pointing out initially his EA drew the characters according to Mitchell-Banks香蕉视频直播� very specific directions about the size and expression of his characters. 香蕉视频直播淗e was learning to use thoughts and words.香蕉视频直播�

In time, his EA stopped drawing and encouraged the initially resistant artist to advance from colouring the creations to drawing them himself.

That led to the emergence of his own Sesame Street and a growing population of cartoon characters.

香蕉视频直播淭hese are his friends, they are personal and he doesn香蕉视频直播檛 like to give them away,香蕉视频直播� laughs Schielke, who was touched to have been gifted with a giant drawing of Jafar recently. 香蕉视频直播淭here is so much going on in his brain; it is so complex.香蕉视频直播�

Mitchell-Banks colours his drawings without worrying about the lines, then expertly cuts them out.

His favourite medium is pastels and he trades one piece of art a week in exchange for a trip to Salmon Arm Stationery to purchase more colours.

He is grasping the notion of trading his 香蕉视频直播渇riends香蕉视频直播� for monetary gains in order to acquire other things he wants.

Other SAS students are impressed with Mitchell-Banks香蕉视频直播� colourful people, including Nick Lourens, who created a 3-D version of a pirate character using the school香蕉视频直播檚 new printer.

This delighted Mitchell-Banks, who has begun painting them.

香蕉视频直播淣ow he香蕉视频直播檚 decided he wants some action figures that move,香蕉视频直播� laughs Beggs, noting students are now trying to create them as well.

Mitchell-Banks is developing literacy skills, is interested in reading and can now go to the computer and find characters on his own, says Beggs.

香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 liking words now and can read simple sentences,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淭hat empowers him so he can learn what he wants. He香蕉视频直播檚 a very curious person.香蕉视频直播�

Michell-Banks is in the school香蕉视频直播檚 Individual Achievement Program (IAP) with support from his team that focuses on his interests.

Learning resource teacher Eberle Balfour says she was 香蕉视频直播渂lown away香蕉视频直播� when she arrived at SAS and discovered IAP students receive individual support and that an attitude of inclusivity permeates the entire school.

香蕉视频直播淎t Leifen香蕉视频直播檚 house there is no computer so he creates most of his art there,香蕉视频直播� says Parke of his prolific 香蕉视频直播渇riends,香蕉视频直播� many of whom have been brought to school. 香蕉视频直播淗is art has grown so much because he explores his creativity.香蕉视频直播�

Eberle agrees, noting that the team is now focusing on Mitchell-Banks香蕉视频直播� career and trying to find ways for him to benefit financially from his art.

Mitchell-Banks works part time at No Frills and is expected to graduate this year. He will pursue his career goals with a new community team to provide support.