Unleash your creativity in the Organization for Autism Research’s Youth Art Contest! The theme for this year’s contest is “Growth”. We look forward to seeing what growth looks like through the creativity of school-aged children! This is an opportunity to explore and express their unique perspectives on growth as abstractly or literally as they would like.
The contest is open to autistic youth and autism allies. We will announce winners at the beginning of Autism Acceptance Month in April and feature the art on our website and social media.
Award Categories
Art contest submissions will be accepted and judged in two categories, each broken down into separate age groups.
Autistic Youth:
8 years old & under
9 – 13 years old
14 years old & older
Autistic Siblings, Relatives, and Friends:
10 years old & under
11 – 18 years old
Art Contest Winners
February’s Flower by Nicholas C.
Grand Prize Winner
Monarch by Charles W.
Autistic Youth Age 8 & Under
Blossoming by Justus K.
Autistic Youth Age 9 – 13
Amelia – A Self Love Portrait by Layla C.
Autistic Youth Age 14+
Angels of Growth by Ishee J.
Autism Ally Age 10 & Under
The Track to Growth by Hailey K.
Autism Ally Age 11-18
Love Blooming by Indiana C.
Grand Prize Winner
My People by Noah M.
Autistic Youth Age 8 & Under
The Grand Community by Braydon S.
Autistic Youth Age 9 – 13
You Are Not Alone by Melody M.
Autistic Youth Age 14+
Adventures with My Brother by Adhvay R.
Autism Ally Age 10 & Under
Community and Autism: We are United! by Tanuj S.
Autism Ally Age 11-18
Celebrating A Time For Change by Gabrielle D.
Grand Prize Winner
Dandelion by Jenny B.
Autistic Youth Age 8 & Under
Happy New Year by Braydon S.
Autistic Youth Age 9 – 13
Celebration by Varun V.
Autistic Youth Age 14+
Celebrating Dog by Lexi M.
Autism Ally Age 10 & Under
Together We Will Touch The Sky by Nadia F.
Autism Ally Age 11-18
Grand Prize Winner: Sean R. – Fair Oaks, CA
Me and My Very Best Friend Sterling
Artist’s Description: This painting is based on a photo taken of me and my best friend Sterling. He is a blue Doberman and enjoys our daily walks by the river. He is gentle, kind, and loving in every way. I thought that this painting captures the theme of friendship as Sterling is loyal and always by my side. He is one of my best friends.
Autistic Youth Age 8 and Under Winner: Will D. – Folsom, CA.
Nature Friends
Artist’s Description: The boy is holding a purple bird and a squirrel.
Autistic Youth Age 9 – 13 Winner: Achille M. – Bellevue, WA
Friends Help Each Other
Artist’s Description: The artist’s only real friends (out of sister and parents) are characters in movies. When asked to draw friends and friendship, the artist drew Leon the Lion who helps his other friends to cross a difficult part of their path. He is carrying them on his shoulders and jumping using some swings until it is safe.
Autistic Youth Age 14+ Winner: Aidan L. – Sugar Land, TX
We Are All Unique as Stars
Artist’s Description: My teacher asked me to share my idea on friends. We all are as unique as stars and friendship makes the night sky brighter.
Autism Ally Age 8 and Under Winner: Sage L. – Colorado Springs, CO
Peacock Pals
Artist’s Description: It’s two peacocks meeting for the first time. They become best friends and then they sit down and they lounge together.
Autism Ally Age 9-13 Winner: Melody M. – Indianapolis, IN
A String of Friendship
Artist’s Description: In my opinion, friendship is a special bond between people, like a string connecting them. It’s golden, to symbolize how friendship is sturdy and will last through many years. It relates to autism because it’s important to show autistic people you’ll always be there for them, even when things get difficult. I make sure my “strings” connecting me with my autistic family and friends are extra strong to show I love them.
Autism Ally Age 14+ Winner: Brooke T. – Pismo Beach, CA
Two Ideas in One
Artist’s Description: While I painted this piece I had the constant input and chattering of my son who is autistic. His sister had opinions too and I did my best to meet what each of them deemed represented friendship best. Just as they are friends!
2024 Art Contest Judges
Tom Coomber
Autistic Artist
Tom is a British autistic artist working mainly in acrylic paints as they allow him to recreate something of the vividness with which he perceives the world. He was shortlisted for the Royal Academy Summer Show in 2022 and had a joint exhibition at Asylum Studios, Bentwaters in May 2023.
Caitlin Cropp
Autistic Artist
Caitlin says “Hello! My name is Caitlin, and I’ve always loved creating art since I was little. I love being myself and doing what makes me happy. Celebrate your uniqueness and don’t forget: ‘different’ does not equal ‘less’.”
Kenny Davis
Autistic Artist
Kenny Davis is an autistic artist. He has a hard time saying how and what he feels, so Kenny found a way to express it through art. Kenny likes creating one-of-a-kind pieces that people can hang in their homes and loves painting with kids too!
Giselle Pritzlaff
Autistic Artist
As an illustrator with autism, art helps Giselle express things from her imagination or feelings that she cannot put into words. “Communicating ideas through colors and composition is what I have decided to do through a means of digital art,” says Giselle. “I can confidently say character creation, world-building, and narrative pieces have been my way to stimulate my creativity and to showcase my ideas to the world!”
D.J. Svoboda
Autistic Artist
D.J. Svoboda, born in 1982, was diagnosed at the age of 3 with Autism Spectrum Disorder with psychomotor retardation, which included speech delays and issues with his fine motor skills. He found it difficult to even hold a pencil. Today, D.J. is a dynamic, motivational public speaker, an accomplished artist, and an author with three books to his credit; My Imagiville, The Mupperezmo and the Rainbow, and The Inspirations of Imagiville.
John Williams
Autistic Artist
John is a professional artist who happens to have autism. He creates very detailed cut paper collages, both portraits and landscapes. “The collage process is a metaphor for my daily life dealing with autism,” John says. “For me, the world is a chaotic place. Art allows me to channel my thoughts, reduce anxiety, and create unique images that will remain as my legacy. I hope to inspire other artists on the Spectrum to follow their creative genius.”
Art Contest Updates
The 2024 Youth Art Contest is closed.
Thank you to everybody who submitted an entry to the Organization for Autism Research’s 2024 Youth Art Contest! If you would like to be notified about the 2025 Youth Art Contest, fill out the form below.
