When Levi Leyba left the Gilbert Police Department earlier this year, it wasn’t because he was ready to slow down.

In fact, he was just picking up momentum on a personal mission he believes could change lives — especially for children learning to read and those with special needs.

“I always had a passion for art and writing,” Leyba said.

He’s now combining that passion with years of experience in business, education and public service to create bilingual children’s books and educational tools aimed at boosting literacy and awareness for neurodivergent students.

A longtime Mesa resident, Leyba’s journey to children’s literature and autism advocacy took an unconventional path. He came to law enforcement later in life after a career in graphic design, product development, business consult

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