New advert welcomed for broadening understanding of autism in girls

A new advert created in conjunction with Ambitious about Autism was launched last week to celebrate World Autism Acceptance Month. The charity has partnered with Vanish to raise understanding and awareness of autistic girls and how sensory sensitivity could be helped through familiar clothing. The advert has been shot by Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper and tells the story of autistic girl Ash, 15 and the visceral importance of her favourite hoodie. The video includes autistic traits such as stimming, shutdowns whilst also showing her abilities, sociability and friendships. Whilst some have thought it ‘played safe’ and showed ‘some stereotypical’ aspects that the community are working to dispel, on the whole it has been welcomed as starting the conversation.