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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.

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

Opinion pieces

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

Lavinia Dowling, mental health and autism nurse specialist, writes about the importance of clothing and how it supports autistic people to express themselves.
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.
Cathy Wassell, CEO of Autistic Girls Network, discusses why teachers should have more training in neurodivergency and how it presents in autistic girls.
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.
Saffron talks about exploring sexuality as an autistic young person and shares advice for other autistic LGBTQ+ people feeling like her.
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.
In this blog, Josephine writes about what it is like growing up British, autistic, and queer in the UK.

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.

ADVICE FROM OUR NETWORK

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.

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.

Donate to Ambitious about Autism

Help us support autistic young people and their families.

See more information on autism

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

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).