13-Year-Old Autistic Boy Publishes Children’s Book About His World

Uriel Elazar Avrahami, 13, a seventh-grade student from Holon who is on the autism spectrum, has published a children’s book called "Like Living in Another World." On the cover, the book defines autism as a difficulty communicating with friends, and Uriel says he wrote it to raise awareness because, in his words, awareness is still low and some people even describe autism as a curse.

Uriel began writing the book on his home computer at age 11. He says that from the start he was convinced it would not remain a file on Word, but would become a printed book. He wanted to present his life as an autistic child and show that, although he is different, he is still like everyone else. His family self-published the book and then turned to Beti Mosari, who illustrated and designed it.

When the first printed copy arrived, Uriel said holding it was the realization of a dream. Only a small number of copies have been printed so far, but he hopes to produce many more so that more people can understand children like him. One copy was given to President Isaac Herzog when he recently visited Yeshivat Bnei Akiva Kiryat Herzog in Bnei Brak, where Uriel studies. Herzog wrote a dedication and signed the copy that remained with Uriel.

Uriel says he is already thinking about a second book. His parents, Ginat and Gabriel, were present at the interview, and his younger brother, Yehonatan Yehuda, said excitedly, "This is the first time I’ll have a famous brother." Elchanan Galt, CEO of the Center for Bnei Akiva Yeshivot and Ulpanot, said Uriel had turned his life story into a message of giving, education and bringing people closer, and that the book is an important lesson in accepting others and recognizing each person’s uniqueness.