Meta1234@
Spectra Sensory Clothing
My name is Meta Auden and I am the founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing. I have a daughter on autistic spectrum and understood some of the problems parent's faced with sensory issues around clothing. We started with an Innovation Voucher to try and design some clothing products that may help children on spectrum. It was a long road, firstly to get prototypes made, then do market research with children to get their take on our products. We even brought in seamless socks from America, as we had been asked by so many if we stocked them. One thing you need to learn, when interacting with someone on spectrum, is "when you have met one person on autistic spectrum, you have met one person on autistic spectrum" they are as diverse a group as any other group of children.
We started with post primary uniforms as we knew that for some it would be the first time they had to wear formal trousers and a shirt. When I advertised autism friendly school uniforms there was not a stampede to the door. This was because people did not know that you could get such a thing. However we then advertised fully elasticated trousers up to age 17/18. In the trousers the main difference was that on the inside it was smoother than normal and all the seams were sewn down, the label was in the pocket and as I said fully elasticated. They were made to look exactly like any other school trousers. The main innovation was the school shirt, this was made in a softer fabric than the usual shirt, again on insides all seams sewn down, the collar was not stiff but soft and still took a tie, the label was in pocket and the best thing was, only top three buttons were genuine so could be put on over head. We have expanded and now have our t-shirts, jogging bottoms, books, ear defenders and much more.
Social Return on Investment
Supported Training and Employment
Unit 31 East Belfast Enterprise Park
Albertbridge Road
Belfast
BT5 4GX
028 90456027
