The festival’s aim is to empower, support and celebrate autistic people, improve others’ understanding of autism, and inspire action to make Sheffield a more autism friendly city.

Activities at the autism festival
This year’s World Autism Acceptance Month (WAAM) will “Celebrate Differences” and encourages everyone to see that each person is unique, and that their differences are a normal part of life. Instead of thinking of autism as a condition that needs to be fixed, the world should celebrate the differences autism brings. World Autism Awareness Day started off the month of celebrations on 2nd April and is internationally recognised every year, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about autistic people throughout the world. Sheffield’s festival will run over three days and is supported by organisations, individuals and partners in the city who want to raise autism awareness and how it affects people’s lives in different ways.
Councillor Angela Argenzio, Chair of Adult Health and Social Care Committee at Sheffield City Council said “We really hope that people can get involved in this festival and take something away from any events that they attend as part of the three days of activities. It’s the first festival of its kind in Sheffield and we’re pleased that we have been able to do this for 2025. If you’re autistic, know someone who is autistic, or if you teach or employ autistic people, you will be able to meet others like you and hear what they have to say about autism and be part of shaping how Sheffield can become more autism friendly. We look forward to welcoming you to the festival.”
Activities at the autism festival
Dr Anita Z Goldschmied, Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability Nursing and Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University said “Sheffield Hallam University has been a longstanding collaborator in creating better care for those with the greatest needs and fostering inclusive communities where autistic people, along with the wider neurodiverse population, including those with learning disabilities, feel engaged. “As a learning disability nurse and social worker focusing on research and teaching future practitioners, I am confident that we have made significant progress in raising awareness of various conditions and the idea of neurodiversity. However, we also recognise that our work is not done yet, and we must strive to create an Autism and Disability Friendly Sheffield where people can meaningfully contribute and be involved in community life.

Tuesday 15th April

Learn how to make Sheffield more autism-friendly city - Sheffield Town Hall room G46 and G42, 10am until 4pm. Quiet room available.

Autism Experience Bus - Outside Owen Building, Sheffield Hallam University - 10am – 1pm & 1:30-4:30pm

Heeley City Farm Art Exhibition - 10-3pm, Stoddart Building, SHU, Howard St, Sheffield City Centre

Artworks Art Exhibition - 10-3pm, Stoddart Building, SHU Howard St, Sheffield City Centre

Talk: Autistic Masking - 12 Stoddart Building, SHU Howard St, Sheffield City Centre

Talk: Autistic Refugees - 1-2:30pm, Stoddart Building, SHU Howard St, Sheffield City Centre

Nature Walk - 2-4pm, Hunters bar entrance to Endcliffe Park

Wednesday 16th April

Autism Experience Bus - Outside Owen Building, Sheffield Hallam University- 10am – 1pm & 1:30-4:30pm

Heeley City Farm Art Exhibition - 10-3pm, Stoddart Building, SHU Howard St, Sheffield City Centre

Artworks Art Exhibition - 10-3pm, Stoddart Building, SHU Howard St, Sheffield City Centre

Talk: Benefits of Inclusive Employment - 10-11:30am, The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane Talk: PDA - What does that mean to you - 10-10:50am, Stoddart Building, SHU Howard St

Talk: Coproducing research & services with autistic people - 11-11:50am, Stoddart Building, SHU Talk: Autistic people can make exceptional students and employees - 12:30-1:20pm, Stoddart Building, SHU

Talk: Breaking Barriers - 1-2:30pm, The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane Sheffield City Centre

Talk: What we wish professionals understood about autism - 1:30-2:10pm, Stoddart Building, SHU Networking - 2:15-3pm

Nature Walk - 2-4pm, Sheffield Quays

Gamers - Board Games 6-9pm, Gamers Guide Café, 8 East parade, Sheffield, S1 2et

Thursday 17th April

Autism Experience Bus - Outside Owen Building, Sheffield Hallam University- 10am – 1pm & 1:30-4:30pm

Heeley City Farm Art Exhibition - 10-3pm, Stoddart Building, SHU

Artworks Art Exhibition - 10-3pm, Stoddart Building, SHU

Talk: Neuro-Inclusion in Employment, Higher Education & Research - 10-11:30am, Stoddart Building, SHU

Talk: Supporting Autism Friendly Services - 1-2:30pm, Stoddart Building, SHU

Nature Walk - 2-4pm - Train station to Norfolk Park Sheaf St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BP

Are you looking to better understand autism for yourself, your family or loved ones? The festival offers so much that can help!

Register for one of our events
Support you can find available at Sheffield Autism Festival