The winter sky may be dull and grey, but inside Salmon Arm Secondary, a colourful display of 91裸聊视频減aper people91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频渄ifferently abled.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 got a love of life, a joy,91裸聊视频� adds Beggs. 91裸聊视频淎nd this school is so accepting.91裸聊视频�

Schielke agrees and says the kids in the art room are not only welcoming, they love it when he91裸聊视频檚 there because he91裸聊视频檚 so animated.

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

91裸聊视频淒rawing opened the door for communication,91裸聊视频� says Parke, pointing out initially his EA drew the characters according to Mitchell-Banks91裸聊视频� very specific directions about the size and expression of his characters. 91裸聊视频淗e was learning to use thoughts and words.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淭hese are his friends, they are personal and he doesn91裸聊视频檛 like to give them away,91裸聊视频� laughs Schielke, who was touched to have been gifted with a giant drawing of Jafar recently. 91裸聊视频淭here is so much going on in his brain; it is so complex.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频渇riends91裸聊视频� for monetary gains in order to acquire other things he wants.

Other SAS students are impressed with Mitchell-Banks91裸聊视频� colourful people, including Nick Lourens, who created a 3-D version of a pirate character using the school91裸聊视频檚 new printer.

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

91裸聊视频淣ow he91裸聊视频檚 decided he wants some action figures that move,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 liking words now and can read simple sentences,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淭hat empowers him so he can learn what he wants. He91裸聊视频檚 a very curious person.91裸聊视频�

Michell-Banks is in the school91裸聊视频檚 Individual Achievement Program (IAP) with support from his team that focuses on his interests.

Learning resource teacher Eberle Balfour says she was 91裸聊视频渂lown away91裸聊视频� when she arrived at SAS and discovered IAP students receive individual support and that an attitude of inclusivity permeates the entire school.

91裸聊视频淎t Leifen91裸聊视频檚 house there is no computer so he creates most of his art there,91裸聊视频� says Parke of his prolific 91裸聊视频渇riends,91裸聊视频� many of whom have been brought to school. 91裸聊视频淗is art has grown so much because he explores his creativity.91裸聊视频�

Eberle agrees, noting that the team is now focusing on Mitchell-Banks91裸聊视频� 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.