We are pleased to share that The Birthday Party, a collaborative project between the National Neurodivergence Team and the Wales Autism Research Centre (WARC) at Cardiff University, has been awarded the ‘Outstanding International Impact’ prize at the Celebrating IAA Impact Awards. The ceremony, held on 20th May, recognised the significant global influence of this training film in raising awareness of autism.
The Birthday Party is an 18-minute training film designed to assist frontline professionals in identifying the often subtle and varied signs of autism in children. By depicting three autistic children attending a birthday party, it provides practical insights for teachers, healthcare professionals, and others working with children. Developed in 2017 based on extensive research, the film has become an important resource in Wales and internationally.
The film’s reach extends to 23 countries, having been translated into five languages (French, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Spanish) and used by over 150 international organisations. From teacher training in Vietnam and Australia to healthcare professional development in Kenya and Venezuela, The Birthday Party has helped improve understanding of autism worldwide. It has been viewed more than 100,000 times and continues to play a role in promoting inclusion and understanding.
Practitioners from countries including the UK, Italy, and Spain have reported improvements in recognising the signs of autism and reducing stigma after using the film in training. A healthcare professional in Kenya shared that it helped her identify autism in girls more effectively, leading to better referrals. Similarly, a teacher in Vietnam noted that the film’s portrayal of an autistic girl encouraged valuable discussions about autism and gender among colleagues.
The success of The Birthday Party reflects the value of collaboration. By partnering with local autistic communities and charity organisations in each country, the project has helped foster an international network committed to improving awareness. The film remains freely accessible on the Neurodivergence Wales website and the Wales Autism Research Centre webpage.
This award is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved in creating and sharing the film, as well as the professionals and educators worldwide who continue to use it in their work. We are proud to have been part of this initiative and look forward to seeing its ongoing impact.
