Staplefield mum of autistic son’s collaboration with barber for autism awareness

A Staplefield mum who has started a business designing clothes for children with autism and other additional needs has teamed up with a barber in the run up to World Autism Awareness Week.
By Carly-May Kavanagh
Published 7th Apr 2021, 14:01 BST
Autism Awareness display in Jimmys Barbers SUS-210325-110506001Autism Awareness display in Jimmys Barbers SUS-210325-110506001
Autism Awareness display in Jimmys Barbers SUS-210325-110506001

Cuckfield and Haywards Heath barber Jimmy Philippou, who runs Jimmy’s Barbers, saw Kelly Lynch’s social media and subsequently offered to use his window display to collaborate to promote autism awareness.

The mum-of-three said: “A few weeks ago I posted a photo of my middle son, Cameron, wearing a hoodie I made for him with #AutismClub on my Instagram page.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“My Instagram is a page dedicated to living with a child who has additional needs.

“It had such a positive response and lots of encouragement to actually make a business of it.”

The ‘autism aware’ sign has been placed in Jimmy’s South Road shop window to support people with autistic spectrum disorders during the awareness week which runs from Tuesday, March 30 to March to Monday, April 5.

Kelly’s business, #AutismClub, sells clothing for children to raise awareness that some children have hidden disabilities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kelly said: “I had some hoodies made up especially and Jimmy kindly ordered the amazing balloons by Izzy’s Party Shop.

“Hopefully it will help continue to raise awareness and ensure people are considerate to others before judging them.”

Kelly says the concept behind her new business is simple.

She said: “When out and about I feel the need to tell everyone and anyone that Cameron has autism to explain his behaviour, whether he is stimming, humming, walking up and down in lines, jumping up and down and sometimes hitting.”

The National Autistic Society says ‘stimming or self-stimulating behaviour includes arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning or twirling, head-banging and complex body movements’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kelly said: “I don’t have to explain this to anyone but I like to, I don’t want people thinking he’s naughty or I’m a bad mother so I’d rather be loud and proud, so I figured this way the hoodie can do the talking for me.”

To find out more about #AutismClub, visit www.autismclub.co.uk

To find out more about autism, visit www.autism.org.uk

Find Kelly on Instagram @lynch_mob_mumma

Related topics:Haywards HeathCuckfield