DAFA Spotlight: Aadam’s Journey in Digital Arts for Autism

2026 Program Enrollment Now Open

At Elite Animation Academy, DAFA (Digital Arts for Autism) continues to empower autistic and neurodiverse students through structured, confidence-building digital art instruction. As we prepare for the 2026 program year, we’re excited to share one of our newest student stories—a powerful reminder of why DAFA exists and how life-changing creative learning can be.

Meet Aadam

DAFA Student • Age 21 • Ohio • Enrolled Since 2023



Aadam graduated high school at 19 with a strong interest in visual art, world cultures, and playing electric guitar. His mom wanted him to continue learning in a structured, supportive environment. After extensive searching for graphic design or video game design programs that support autistic students, she found DAFA — and was thrilled to learn that Elite Animation Academy is a Step Up For Students provider, allowing Florida families to use their scholarships directly for classes.

“I was thrilled when I stumbled across DAFA!”

(Although Aadam lives in Ohio and pays privately, his mom said she loves that Florida families have Step Up as an option — making the program accessible to more students like her son.)

A Strong Start — and a Huge Leap Forward

Aadam began online classes nervous, unsure of expectations, and overwhelmed by the technology. To support him, his mom hired a friend as a temporary “DAFA buddy” during the first month to help him log in, navigate class, and feel secure. Within weeks, Aadam became fully independent — a transformation that surprised even his mom.

“It was like a 0 to 60 moment. I was amazed at what he could do — and he was proud.”

He even built a public-facing portfolio website with his instructor — a milestone that showed real-world potential.

Growth at Home, in Skill, and in Confidence

Since starting DAFA, the growth speaks for itself:

• Real digital art skills that turn into real opportunities
• Freelance work for friends, neighbors, and community members
• Graphic invitations, greeting cards, and business presentation designs
• A deep boost in independence and self-esteem
• A structured weekly routine that keeps him grounded and focused

Aadam isn’t very verbal about class, but his routine says it all:

“He plans his day around class. It’s his thing.”

And for Florida families, DAFA pairs perfectly with the Unique Abilities Scholarship through Step Up For Students, which covers tuition directly.

Instructor Support That Makes All the Difference

Aadam takes the online version of DAFA with Amanda — a favorite among our neurodiverse students.

“Amanda is the best.”

Amanda supports him through:

• Personalized lessons connected to his interests
• Encouraging him to explore new tools, colors, and styles
• Reaching out to his mom if attention drifts so they can realign together
• Adapting the curriculum for multi-year growth

DAFA is intentionally designed for autistic and neurodiverse learners, and the Step Up For Students scholarship helps ensure Florida families can access that specialized instruction without financial strain.

A Launchpad for the Future

Aadam’s mom views DAFA not just as an art class, but as a stepping stone:

“The DAFA skillset is an entry point for independent projects and community engagement.”

For students who face challenges in traditional work environments, digital art opens doors. Confidence grows. Opportunities open. And the ability to contribute meaningfully becomes real.

She sums it up beautifully:

“I think of DAFA like a ladder — it has elevated my son to the next level.”

Holiday Virtual Courses Start December 1

Kick off the season with our Holiday Virtual Courses, launching December 1! These fun, festive online classes give students the chance to explore digital art, animation, and creative design from home during the holidays. Whether your child is already enrolled in DAFA or brand new to Elite, our December virtual sessions offer a cozy, confidence-building way to stay creative all month long.

Enrollment for the 2026 DAFA Program Is Now Open

DAFA is available online and in-studio for students ages 8–adult.

We proudly accept all relevant Step Up For Students scholarships, including

Unique Abilities, PEP, and New Worlds — making enrollment simple and fully accessible.

👉 Visit our website to learn more and enroll

👉 Use your Step Up account to pay directly for classes

Thank You for Being Part of the DAFA Community

We’re grateful for every student, parent, and supporter who helps make the DAFA program the safe, creative, confidence-building space it is. As we head into the 2026 year, we’re excited to continue guiding neurodiverse artists toward new skills, new independence, and new possibilities.

Stay connected with us by following our social media channels below for updates, student spotlights, upcoming workshops, and inspiring work from our DAFA community.

DAFA — Where Creativity Meets Confidence.