M&S partnership with the National Autistic Society to launch “Easy Wear”

It has been announced that M&S and the National Autistic Society are in partnership to launch a school wear range that is autism friendly.

Research suggests that 70% of autistic children are in mainstream education and required to wear school uniform. After receiving feedback suggesting that the department store should do more to help children that are on the spectrum, M&S has developed their “Easy Wear” collection which can be purchased online.

Working alongside professionals who work with autistic children and Hellen Alison School, whilst reaching out to the National Autistic Society, the new range includes items such as hidden Velcro fastenings instead of buttons, easy to wash fabric and pull up trousers.

More than 6000 people registered an interest before the product went on sale on 1^st August.

Chief executive of the National Autistic Society, Mark Lever, said: “M&S have responded brilliantly to what they’ve heard from our experts and the children at our Helen Allison School. Simple changes like putting a scratchy label inside a pocket make an enormous difference.

“Since we’ve announced that this autism-friendly range of clothing will be available from M&S, the response from our supporters has been amazing. Over 3000 people have liked our Facebook post and we’ve had over 3000 shares too. Supporters have left comments like: ‘Wow…brilliant…school uniforms are awful, and getting dressed can set the tone for the day when you have sensory sensitivities. These will increase independence and also learning ability. Just brilliant’

“More than one in a hundred people are autistic in the UK – that’s around 120,000 school-age children - and they deserve to have the same choices as everyone else.”