Dad designs jacket for neurodivergent children

A dad has designed a coat for neurodivergent children after seeing the struggles his autistic son goes through every day.

John Rudd, 47, from Walkden, came up with the idea to help his son Charlie, 13, who was diagnosed with autism when he was nine.

Mr Rudd said Charlie struggles with labels on clothing and certain materials which makes buying a coat "an absolute nightmare".

He said Charlie's sensory issues would cause him to have meltdowns, an intense response to an overwhelming situation, common for people with autism.

"He wouldn't go outside, he wouldn't go to school, every morning was a battle," he said.

In a bid to help his son and other children, Mr Rudd decided to design a coat, an idea that his wife Amanda at first thought was a joke.

"Well, I just started laughing because I was like, are you being serious?" she said.

"He told me 'I can do this' and I didn't take him on at first but two days later he had sent the design to different companies."

Nearly two-and-a-half years later the sensory coat - branded Chammo and aimed at children between the ages of five and 13 - is available to purchase online.

The coat is lined with a sherpa material and is weighted to increase attention span and reduce hyperactivity.

It also has high vis stripes to enhance safety in public spaces.

Each pocket in the jacket is filled with a sensory fidget toy that can be used by the wearer when feeling particularly anxious.

"If their anxiety kicks in, which happens to Charlie a lot in public, there's an anxiety ball in one pocket," Mr Rudd said.

"I got that idea because he used to squeeze my hand in public."

Mum Amanda, 45, who is Charlie's full-time carer, said the design of the coat became a "family project" with Charlie's older sister Molly, 21, also getting involved and Charlie has told his dad he feels "proud" of what has been created.

Charlie has now added extra details to his coat including a "keyboard bit in the pocket" which he said was his favourite part of the jacket.

"I like the hood too, it has room for my ear defenders," said Charlie.

One parent who has seen a positive impact of the coat is Cassie Lily, 39, from Walkden, who came across the jacket online.

Her nine-year-old son, Thomas, is autistic and very particular about items of clothing.

"I thought the coat was quite an interesting concept considering I had six different coats of Thomas's at home, all of which - regardless of cost - have got one issue or another.

"Straightaway, when he put the coat on, he said he liked the way the hood fit.

"Even with coats at home I find loads of stuff in his pockets that he's been playing with.

"With this coat I am hoping to keep it a lot tidier with all the fidgets put in the pockets."

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