Neal Raghani’s Art Beyond the Spectrum

Neal Raghani, ’25 Digital Media Art, first understood that he lives with autism when he was preparing to apply for college. His parents described autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder akin to a clock — each minute representing a spectrum of expressions. When he enrolled at San José State, he wasn’t initially sure what to do with this information.

King Library Research Scholar Neal Raghani, ’25 BFA Digital Media Art, created “Beyond the Spectrum,” an exhibit that explores the lives of people with autism through digital media. Photo by Joshua Shiozawa ’25 Film, Theatre, and Dance.

“During my very first semester at San José State, I felt like having autism wasn’t something I wanted to express to others, just because of the narratives surrounding it, especially where I grew up,” he says. “But now, being not only a visual artist, but also somebody who has made the most of their education despite their difficulties adjusting to this college system, I feel more at ease and even confident telling people, ‘Hey, I have autism.’”

Perhaps the best evidence of this is Raghani’s new exhibit, “Beyond the Spectrum,” currently on display at the Jennifer and Philip DiNapoli Gallery on the second floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. The exhibition, which explores the effects of visual art activities adopted by special education teachers to create community in their classrooms, was inspired by his work with the SJSU King Library’s Research Scholars Program, a three-semester paid research opportunity. 

Each of the pieces on display at the DiNapoli Gallery shares a different research finding in a children’s book-like narrative, inviting viewers to question their own assumptions about neurodiversity. Raghani created illustrations of children playing Minecraft, implementing “buddy systems” in classrooms (i.e. pairing children with autism with neurotypical children) and exploring maker culture. Each of the illustrations is juxtaposed with a scholarly citation related to the experiences children with autism have in the classroom.

Through scholarly research, qualitative interviews with special education teachers and collaboration with principal investigator and User Engagement and Insights Librarian Michael Aguilar, “Beyond the Spectrum” incorporates digital and physical art to envision vital special education practices covered throughout the research.

Raghani paired his artwork with research articles, making the exhibit artistic and educational. Photo courtesy of the artist.

“Working with Neal in the Library Research Scholars Program has been an inspiring experience,” says Aguilar. “His dedication to understanding and amplifying the ways K-12 educators foster community and belonging for children with autism is evident in every aspect of his work. What intrigues me most about his work is how he seamlessly blends academic insight with artistic expression, transforming research into a tangible, immersive experience.

“His exhibition is not just informative — it invites viewers to feel and engage with the world he’s exploring. Along the way, he has taught me the power of storytelling in research, showing how creativity can be a bridge between knowledge and empathy. His work is a testament to the impact of art in shaping inclusive spaces, and I feel fortunate to have been part of his journey.”

Discovering his inner superpower

Raghani says his research, conducted with the guidance of his library mentor Aguilar, both validated his personal experience as a person with autism and offered some critical, if not hopeful, takeaways.

“During my literature review, I learned the necessity of children with autism having an inner world that they can tap into to feel safe and secure,” he explains. “It helps them to take a break from the stress and hardships of the outer world. It’s interesting because that inner world can be anything.”

He describes how, in the studies he read, many children with autism identify with superheroes, and this internal confidence can help them develop key social skills.

“Beyond the Spectrum” shows how children with autism can have vivid inner worlds and even imagine themselves as superheroes. Image courtesy of the artist.

“I came to the conclusion that children with autism have the potential to create long-lasting bonds and connections,” he says. “They have that superpower, that innate ability to tap into their emotions. I hope that people realize how important and valuable children with autism are, and that they realize how integral special education is by extension. I want people to see that children with autism want to feel like they belong. They want to feel accepted.”

“Beyond the Spectrum” demonstrates Raghani’s abilities as a digital artist as well as a researcher, and mirrors his journey accepting life with autism. Whereas in his first year at SJSU, he was unsure if or how to disclose his life with autism to others, he has now gained the confidence to challenge stereotypes and ask big questions through his art.

“I’m starting to realize now that people with autism [are] a symbol for coming to terms with your own identity — for making your way in the world,” he says. “They are a symbol for people who aspire to build lasting and meaningful relationships. I was very reassured to know that there’s more openness now in the general public to recognizing that children with autism are more than who they appear. They are more than the kids who sit alone at lunch, or the kids who flap their arms around whenever they’re excited. They [are] a symbol for people who aspire to think positively for themselves, for their community and everyone around them.”

For Raghani, positivity means sharing his work — and his research findings — with the world around him. In addition to the DiNapoli Gallery, he has also installed a 10-foot-tall mechanical storybook called “Autimus Prime” in the Art Kiosk in Redwood City. The piece, a play on the Transformer Optimus Prime, includes six text panels that detail the traits, experiences and emotions he felt as a child, with six accompanying digital illustrations. Raghani hopes his work dispels negative narratives about people with autism.

“I think everybody can be Autimus Prime,” he says with a smile. “We can all be superheroes.”

Learn more about SJSU King Library’s Research Scholars Program.