Celebrating the creativity of young people with autism - in pictures

The competition was open to all young people aged 11-25 diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)

Evan Findlay-Dykes, 19, Ty Coryton School Photograph: PR

More than 350 entries were submitted, from 52 schools in the UK. Entries also came from as far away as India and Croatia

Nicola O'Leary, 16, Ysgol Y Bont Photograph: PR

Six finalists have been chosen from the categories 2D art, 3D art and digital media art

Julian Soret, 15, TreeHouse School Photograph: PR

Winners will receive a prize for themselves and earn a prize for their school

Alexander Fox-Robinson, 15, Pembroke School Photograph: PR

The judging panel included Brendan Stuart Burns, twice winner of the National Eisteddfod gold medal in fine art and lecturer at the University of Glamorgan; Hugh Morgan, chief executive of Autism Cymru; and Darren Jackson, principal of Beechwood College.

Esther Whitney, 24, Birmingham City Photograph: PR

The finalists will attend an awards ceremony at Beechwood College on 24 July, when three winners will be announced

Adam Page, 15, Alderman Knight School Photograph: PR

Beechwood is a specialist residential college near Cardiff providing further education for students over the age of 16 who have an ASD or Asperger's syndrome

Stefan Fitzgerald, 16, Ashgrove School Photograph: PR

The artwork by the finalists will be displayed during a national art tour open to the public. The work will be displayed first at the Old Library in Cardiff

Benedict Webster, 16, The Redway School Photograph: PR

Darren Jackson, principal of Beechwood College, said: "We have seen how engaging in art and creativity programmes can transform the lives of young people who previously struggled to make themselves heard ..."

Daniel Sturdy, 19, Hereward College Photograph: PR

"... This competition has shown us there is a huge amount of creative talent among young people with an ASD."

Alex Khabbazi, 16, Sunnydown School Photograph: PR