Thomas the Tank engine clothes keep autistic children on track
THOMAS the Tank Engine has rushed to the rescue again by giving children with autism a range of special clothes.
Mattel, owner of the Thomas & Friends brand, came up with the idea after discovering that getting dressed can be a nightmare for autistic kids.
People with the condition often have sensory issues linked to the feel and colour of certain materials.
It can make clothes difficult or even painful to wear.
So Mattel has designed and released a range of T-shirts, sweatshirts and joggers to make lives easier for those on the spectrum. They use soft fabrics, ditching labels and replacing buttons with Velcro fastenings.
The clothes also have limited seams and encased elastic waistbands.
Struggle
Their launch coincides with World Autism Awareness Day today and the UK’s National Autism Week, which ends tomorrow. And 20 per cent from every sale is going to the National Autistic Society, the UK’s leading charity for the condition.
Spokesman Peter Watt said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Thomas & Friends and Character. com to create such an important range of clothing for autistic children and teens.
“Parents and autistic young people often tell us how sensory sensitivities can mean that children on the autism spectrum struggle with certain clothes.
“For some, a label on a T-shirt, a prominent seam or certain fabrics could be incredibly itchy, distracting or even physically painful.
“Finding the right clothing can make shopping difficult, time consuming and stressful. So, it’s really great to have the chance to develop this autism-friendly collection.”
Mattel commissioned a survey of 1,500 parents of autistic children under the age of 16 before getting the clothes made.
Claudia Caron, from Thomas & Friends, said: “We are very proud to be supporting our community of autistic fans to offer more choices and accessible clothing based on what mums and dads of autistic children have told us they want to see.”
There are estimated to be 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK and, while their experiences are likely to vary, they are often under or oversensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
They may also either be unable to speak, or find it difficult to do so, and struggle to maintain eye contact.
Additionally, unexpected changes and everyday social situations can trigger intense anxiety. As one person quoted on the National Autistic Society’s website says: “Every time I am touched it hurts. It feels like fire running through my body.”
●●The clothes, starting from £8, can be bought at character.com