8 Autism Awareness Speakers to Book for World Autism Day (and Canada's October Observance)

World Autism Awareness Day falls on April 2nd every year, a date set by the United Nations to raise understanding of autism worldwide. The whole of April is recognised as Autism Awareness Month (also called Autism Acceptance Month) across the UK, the US and internationally, while Canada marks its own Autism Awareness Month every October. Booking an autism awareness speaker for either date gives your audience real insight into neurodivergent talent and inclusive practice, from someone who lives or works in this space, rather than a generic diversity slot.

When is World Autism Awareness Day?

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd, established by the United Nations in 2007 to raise global understanding of autism. April as a whole is recognised as Autism Awareness Month across the UK, the US and internationally, and increasingly called Autism Acceptance Month to reflect a shift from simply raising awareness toward genuine workplace and social inclusion.

Why does Canada mark Autism Awareness Month in October?

Canada observes Autism Awareness Month every October rather than April, with Health Canada and organisations across the country using the month to highlight autism research, support services and lived experience. For any organisation with a Canadian presence, October is a second natural point in the year to run a session or book a speaker, separate from the UN's April 2nd date.

8 autism awareness speakers to book

Whether you're planning for April 2nd, UK and US Autism Awareness Month, or Canada's October observance, here are eight speakers worth booking.

Chris Packham CBE

Chris Packham is a naturalist, BBC broadcaster and co-founder of the environmental legal group Wild Justice. He speaks openly about being autistic and brings that perspective into talks on neurodiversity alongside his work on climate accountability and conservation.

Learn more and book Chris Packham →

Paddy McGuinness

Paddy McGuinness is a comedian and television presenter known for BBC's Top Gear and ITV's Take Me Out. He and his wife Christine have spoken publicly about raising autistic children, and he brings that experience into talks that combine comedy with honest conversation about autism and family life.

Learn more and book Paddy McGuinness →

Sam Smith

Sam Smith is a former British tennis champion and BBC broadcaster who now works with organisations on autism awareness and inclusive leadership. She draws on her Olympic broadcasting career to help teams understand and support neurodivergent colleagues.

Learn more and book Sam Smith →

Haley Moss

Haley Moss became the first openly autistic attorney admitted to the Florida Bar and now speaks on neurodiversity, disability rights and workplace inclusion. She's been recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and works with corporations to build genuinely inclusive environments.

Learn more and book Haley Moss →

Chris Bonnello

Chris Bonnello is the founder of Autistic Not Weird and a former teacher who now speaks on autism and neurodiversity in the workplace. He's a Professional Speaking Association member and Speakers Award winner, working with employers on supporting autistic talent and wellbeing.

Learn more and book Chris Bonnello →

Theo Smith

Theo Smith is an award-winning author and neuroinclusion expert who helps organisations improve hiring outcomes for neurodivergent candidates. He's trained more than 50,000 professionals across 25 countries and was recognised at the Business Book Awards.

Learn more and book Theo Smith →

Kenneth Mims

Kenneth Mims is a STEM educator and founder of the Neurodiversity Education Research Center. A TEDx speaker and Albert Einstein Legislative Fellow, he helps schools, employers and public bodies apply research-led, strength-based approaches to autism and neurodiversity.

Learn more and book Kenneth Mims →

Dr. Marcia Goddard

Dr. Marcia Goddard is a neuroscientist who works with teams on diversity, wellbeing and performance, drawing on science-backed insight into how neurodivergent minds work. She's delivered sessions for ABN AMRO, Deloitte and The Contentment Foundation.

Learn more and book Marcia Goddard →

How do I book an autism awareness speaker?

You book an autism awareness speaker by telling PepTalk your event format, date and audience, and we'll match you with the right fit from our roster of autism awareness speakers. Fees vary depending on the speaker's profile and whether you need a keynote, panel or workshop session, so it's worth getting in touch early, especially around April and October when calendars fill up fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should we book a speaker with lived experience or a professional specialist?

It depends what you want the session to do. Speakers with lived experience of autism, like Chris Packham or Haley Moss, change how a room thinks and feels about neurodivergence. Specialists like Theo Smith or Dr. Marcia Goddard hand teams research and process they can act on afterwards. Pairing one of each across a panel or a morning session covers both.

Can autism awareness speakers deliver sessions virtually?

Yes. Most of the speakers on this list work virtually as well as in person, which suits awareness day sessions where you want colleagues across several offices or time zones in the same room. Virtual sessions are usually shorter and cost less than a full in-person booking.

How much does it cost to book an autism awareness speaker?

Speaker fees vary widely depending on their profile, format and availability, so there's no single price point. Get in touch with PepTalk with your event details and we'll put together a shortlist and quote to match your budget.

What topics do autism awareness speakers cover?

Autism awareness speakers typically cover lived experience, inclusive hiring and workplace practice, family life, and how organisations can support neurodivergent colleagues and customers. Many combine personal story with practical, research-backed guidance your team can apply straight away.

💡 Would you like to mark World Autism Awareness Day or Canada's October Autism Awareness Month with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we'll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Send us a message and we'll set up a free strategy call. Remember, it's always a good time to get a PepTalk!