Mum designs 'I have autism' shirts so strangers will stop calling son 'naughty'

‘Oscar does have unpredictable behaviour, though. He gets lots of looks and gets called naughty by adults.

‘We’ve had, “for god’s sake, shut up” because he can really scream.

‘We have experienced people saying to us before, “if he were mine, he’d be getting a smack”.

‘I’ve also been in meetings where Oscar isn’t referred to by his name and is only talked about when people say, “what’s wrong with him”. It’s really offensive.’

Kellie said comments such as these often make Oscar feel worse – he can become anxious in unfamiliar surroundings, or if he feels claustrophobic or uncomfortable.

She said: ‘It can trigger a meltdown with him.

‘Sometimes Oscar’s behaviour can make you go, “wow”; he could be on all fours in a public place taking his shoes and socks off.’

As a result, Kellie decided to establish Born Anxious, a range of clothing warning others about her son’s special needs.

The label sells t-shirts for children and adults emblazoned with messages like ‘be kind I have autism’ and ‘unpredictable and amazing’.

She said: ‘It’s about informing people in a really gentle way that he may need a wide berth when we’re out.

‘Someone could go up to him, say “hello, mate” and ruffle his hair without realising that could ruin our whole day.

‘I’ve had a really good reaction to the products. A lot of people have said that people have been kinder to them because of this.’

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