Dad 'overwhelmed' by response to son's sensory coat

A dad who designed a sensory coat to help his neurodiverse son has said he has been "overwhelmed" by the public response.

John Rudd, 47, from Walkden, created the coat for his son Charlie, 13, who was diagnosed with autism when he was nine.

Mr Rudd said Charlie struggles with labels on clothing and certain materials and refused to go outside or to school without a coat, which made every day an "absolute nightmare".

His mum Amanda, 45, said Charlie is now happier and able to go out, safe in the knowledge "he has everything he needs to support him".

The sensory coat is aimed at children between the ages of five and 13, and is weighted to increase attention span and reduce hyperactivity.

It also has high-vis stripes to enhance safety in public spaces, while each pocket in the jacket is filled with a sensory fidget toy that can be used by the wearer when feeling particularly anxious.

John said the response to the jacket online has been "amazing, and overwhelming", while a video of their story shared on social media has been watched by thousands of people.

The couple said there had also been a surge in demand for the coat which John is selling online.

Speaking about the response, Amanda said: "It's been weird to process that the coat is there and online and then seeing it on the TV.

"I have had people come up to me and say, 'is that you that did the coat on the telly?'

"It still feels like this is happening to somebody else, I feel like an outsider looking in.

"We cannot keep up with the response… we are just excited."

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