Girls and autism

Autistic girls are three times less likely
to receive a diagnosis than boys.1

Which impacts how quickly they get the support they need to thrive. And how much they feel seen and heard. Our campaign gives a voice to those girls. And tells their stories through clothes. Because sensory sensitivity affects all genders and for many autistic people clothes can make the world a little more comfortable.

Autism and clothing
73%

of autistic people use clothes to help regulate their senses. 2

Which means getting more wear from clothes and making them last longer really matters.

75%

of autistic people find that keeping the look, smell and feel of clothes the same is important. 2

Partnering with Ambitious about Autism, Vanish set out to nurture a conversation that breaks down myths and broadens public understanding. Championing stories centered on the universal comfort of clothes. To help autistic people feel seen, heard and supported.

 

 

Vanish is donating 25p per pack of select Vanish products to Ambitious about Autism*

To help autistic girls feel seen, heard and supported.

And your donation can help too

Help us support autistic children and young people and their families.

Donate

Me, My Autism & I

As seen on Channel 4, our film blends drama and documentary to tell one autistic girl’s story.

Me, My Stuff & I

As seen on YouTube - In partnership with Channel 4 and 4Studio, watch more stories unfold.

WHAT CLOTHES CAN MEAN TO ME

“Putting on her favourite hoodie under her school blazer enables her to go to school every day.”
Jemma, mother to a 15 year old autistic girl
“My dad has to wear my tops to stretch them for me.” 
Anonymous
"Wearing familiar clothing directly affects the mood of 81% of autistic people." ²
Survey
Ambitious about Autism and Vanish, 2023
“Whenever I'm anxious the textures of the clothes help me. I like to rub my fingers on my sleeves or pick at the material.”
Jodie, 22
First thought she was autistic age 16
“My zipped up duvet coat feels like armour, a barrier to keep the world at bay.”
Ellen, 57
First thought she was autistic age 55
An attachment to clothing was a factor that led over a third (34%) of autistic people to think they might be autistic. ²
Survey
Ambitious about Autism and Vanish, 2023
"I have a lot of social anxiety and wearing a favourite piece of clothing relieves some of that. Because it makes me feel better, I can socialise as I'm not thinking about what I'm wearing."
Anonymous
"Once I find a perfect item, I keep it for as long as it will last. I have some clothes I still wear from when I was 12 years old and I'm now 31."
Laura, 31
Sought diagnosis age 28

Opinion pieces

Read articles written by autistic people and autism professionals to discover more.

Clothing and autistic girls
Every super hero has their choice of fabrics, and being autistic is no different 
Lavinia Dowling, mental health and autism nurse specialist, writes about the importance of clothing and how it supports autistic people to express themselves.
Read more
Gender gap autism
The gender gap in autism
In this blog written by Ambitious about Autism and Dr Laura Hull, we explore why autistic girls are three to four times less likely to be diagnosed with autism than males.
Read more
Teen autistic girls in school
Why are autistic teen girls reaching crisis point before being diagnosed in our schools?
Cathy Wassell, CEO of Autistic Girls Network, discusses why teachers should have more training in neurodivergency and how it presents in autistic girls.
Read more
Autistic person of colour
Being an autistic person of colour
In this blog Nana-Yaa writes about growing up in a Ghanaian household, and what it's like being autistic from a person of colour's perspective.
Read more
Autistic LGBTQ+ teenager
Exploring my sexuality as an autistic young person
Saffron talks about exploring sexuality as an autistic young person and shares advice for other autistic LGBTQ+ people feeling like her.
Read more
LGBTQ+ and autistic teeanger
Growing up a part of the LGBTQ+ community and autistic in the UK
23-year-old Rachael, who was diagnosed as autistic at the age of three, talks about growing up as a part of the LGBTQ+ community and autistic in the UK.
Read more
LGBTQ+ autistic teenager
What it’s like to be an LGBTQ+ autistic teenager
In this blog, Josephine writes about what it is like growing up British, autistic, and queer in the UK.
Read more

Vanish is donating 25p for each pack of selected Vanish products sold in Sainsbury's, B&M, Wilko and on Amazon* to Ambitious about Autism, to help create a world where autistic girls and young people are heard, included and supported.

Vanish have provided neurodiversity training to their employees and talent and acquisition teams to establish more inclusive hiring policies. Alongside the creation of an internal neurodiversity handbook. They will also offer employee volunteer days with Ambitious about Autism to continue to build an ongoing relationship, having committed to 3 years of activity for World Autism Acceptance Week. 

Vanish is committed to helping clothes live longer and believe that every garment you own should bring you comfort again and again. Find out more about our #Rewear fight here.

Your donation could help

support autistic young children and their families.

Donate

ADVICE FROM OUR NETWORK

"Autistic people are not meant to struggle, so speak up (or write/text someone about it) when something doesn't feel right. We’re all in this together and one day society will be better for people like us."
Deb, 41
First thought she was autistic age 37
"You have so much to offer the world - even simply by seeing it differently."
Laura, 31
Sought diagnosis age 28
"Trust yourself. Your experiences are real and valid."
Deb, 41
First thought she was autistic age 37
"Neurotypical people vary as widely as autistic people do in their strengths and weaknesses so don't make the mistake of putting neurotypicalism on a pedestal. It's cliché to say, but it really does take all kinds. We need everyone to be a successful species. Otherwise why would we have evolved this way?"
Laura, 31
Sought diagnosis age 28
"Keep looking for people who really understand you. Find neurodivergent friends! Make boundaries and find people who help you maintain them. Don't try to fit in if it hurts you or makes you feel less than you are."
Deb, 41
First thought she was autistic age 37
"If you have a special interest, use it to your advantage. For example, if your special interest is animals you can study animal welfare and get a job working with animals. Because it’s your special interest you will end up doing really well."
Natasha, 22
First thought she was autistic age 12
"Make a safe space. Somewhere you can unwind, be yourself, and recover from the anxiety of just getting through the day being autistic."
Rin, 25
First thought they were autistic age 22

Join the conversation

Understanding yourself, sharing your experiences and finding support is really important.
Join our networks to connect with other autistic young people or fellow parents and carers. 

Online youth network Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Through our Ambitious Youth Network, online peer support and project work, we bring autistic young people together to tackle isolation, understand their autistic identity and have their voices heard.

Online youth network

Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Through our Ambitious Youth Network, online peer support and project work, we bring autistic young people together to tackle isolation, understand their autistic identity and have their voices heard.

Read more
Online parent community Being connected with others is vital. You need access to a safe place where you can speak with like-minded people about your parenting journey without judgement. So, if you need to talk, join Talk about Autism – the online community for parents and carers.

Online parent community

Being connected with others is vital. You need access to a safe place where you can speak with like-minded people about your parenting journey without judgement. So, if you need to talk, join Talk about Autism – the online community for parents and carers.

Read more

Donate to Ambitious about Autism

Help us support autistic young people and their families.

Donate

See more information on autism

Our website has a huge library of autism resources and information.

Go to homepage

¹Loomes, R., Hull, L., and Mandy, W. P. L. (2017). What Is the Male-to-Female Ratio in Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(6), 466–474.

²Ambitious about Autism and Vanish, 2023, sample size of 517 autistic girls, boys, non-binary people and their network.

* 25p for every pack of: (1) Vanish Powder Gold 1kg sold from promotional displays in selected Sainsburys stores in the UK (excluding  NI), with a minimum donation of £16,012.50, between 26 July 2023 and 15 August 2023; 2023;(2) Vanish Powder Gold 1.9kg and Vanish Pre Treat Power Gel 200ml (excluding any Calgon products) sold from promotional displays in selected Sainsburys stores in the UK (excluding NI), with a minimum donation of £9,900, between 16 August 2023 and 5 September 2023; (3) Vanish Power Gold 470g, Vanish Pre Treat Power Gel 200ml and Vanish Gold Carpet Spray 500ml sold from promotional displays in selected B&M stores (excluding NI), with a minimum donation of £19,500, between 1 September 2023 and 31 October 2023; 2023;(4) Vanish Powder Gold 470kg and 1.5kg, Vanish Gold Gel 750ml, Vanish Base 470g, Vanish Carpet Gold Foam 600ml, Vanish Carpet Powder 650g and Vanish Gold Carpet Spray 500ml sold from promotional displays in selected Wilko stores in the UK (excluding NI), with a minimum donation of £6,699, between 23 August 2023 and 19 September 2023; and (5) Vanish Gold Prewash Power Gel 4 x 200ml, Vanish Powder Gold 1kg, Vanish Powder Gold 1.9kg, Vanish Stain Remover Powder 2.1kg, Vanish Gold Stain Remover Gel 2250ml, Vanish Powder Gold 1.41kg, Vanish Power Tabs 20g, Vanish Platinum Landry Booster 1.57kg, Vanish Gold Gel Colours 6 x 750ml, Vanish Gold Upholstery & Carpet Kit, Vanish Carpet and Upholstery Spray 1l, Vanish Powder Stain Remover 6 x 470g, Vanish Carpet Stain Remover Powder 650g sold on Amazon between 14 August 2023 and 10th September 2023, with a minimum donation of  £6,250, will be donated by Vanish to Ambitious about Autism (registered charity no. 1063184).