The festival, taking place from April 15-17, aims to empower, support and celebrate autistic people, improve others’ understanding of autism, and inspire action to make Sheffield a more autism friendly city.
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 April 2 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. It has been organised by Sheffield City Council in collaboration with Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and includes a series of events and activities hosted across various venues near the city centre.
Activities include an autism experience bus, an art exhibition, nature walks, a series of talks by autistic people on a range of topics and a drop-in session about the services and support available to autistic people in the city.
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.”
Dr Anita Z Goldschmied, Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability Nursing and Social Work at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, said: “Ï㽶ÊÓƵ 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.
“I am proud that the University has partnered with the Council and various organisations to host the first Sheffield Autism Festival. World Autism Acceptance Month is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the experiences of autistic people. Together, we can reach more and change attitudes faster.”
Events and activities have been organised sensitively for autistic people, with a quiet room and limited numbers of people. Speaker events will also be recorded and made available online after the festival.
Tickets are limited and bookable via .
