Mattel announces the renewal of the National Autistic Society partnership for a 2^nd year to develop a range of clothing using the Thomas & Friends brand to create an autism friendly collection that will be available exclusively at F&F Clothing in selected Tesco stores from 4^th March until 29^th April including World Autism Acceptance Week 2 - 8 April 2024.

Some autistic people are highly sensitive to the feel and colour of certain materials, to the extent that some clothing is unpleasant or even painful to wear and research* showed that the biggest considerations in choosing clothing for autistic children are pull on clothing, easy dressing, no back neck woven labels, no buttons, and Velcro fastenings.

F&F have designed the collection with all these features in mind, which include soft fabric, loose-fitting t-shirts, jumpers, and tracksuits, all designed for ease of dressing suitable for autistic children aged 1 -6 years.

F&F Clothing will donate 5% of the full retail price of this product to the National Autistic Society, to help the charity to continue their vital work providing information and advice and campaigning for a society that works for autistic people. 

Peter Watt, Director of National Programmes at the National Autistic Society, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Thomas & Friends™ and Tesco F&F to create such an important range of clothing for autistic children.

Parents and autistic young people often tell us how sensory sensitivities can mean that autistic children struggle with certain clothes. For some, a label on a t-shirt, or a particular fabric could be incredibly itchy, distracting or even physically painful. Finding the right clothing can make shopping difficult, time consuming, and stressful. So, it’s really great to have the chance to develop this autism friendly collection.”

Claudia Caron, Thomas & Friends™ UK Marketing Manager explained: “Thomas & Friends is an inclusive brand that invites all of our fans to celebrate friendship and teamwork. But, we are especially proud to be supporting our Thomas & Friends™ community of autistic fans and continuing a great partnership with the National Autistic Society and Tesco F&F to offer more choices and accessible clothing.”

India Hyatt Mailes, Brands and Licensing at F&F Clothing said: “We here at F&F are really looking forward to launching this very special collaboration between the National Autistic Society and Thomas & Friends in line with World Autism Acceptance Week 2024. We have worked hard with Mattel and the National Autistic Society to bring to life a range of sensory friendly clothing encompassing all the much-loved Thomas & Friends characters. We have recognised the importance of ensuring all sensory elements have been considered for the range including no back neck labels, the removal of drawcords and super soft fabrics and prints.”

The collection is available in local Tesco Extra stores from 4^th March until 29^th April 2024, participating stores include: 

• Aberdeen Extra
• Ashby De La Zouch Extra
• Aylesbury Extra
• Balbriggan Extra
• Basildon Pitsea Extra
• Batley Extra
• Beckton Extra Gallions Reach
• Birkenhead Bidston Moss Extra
• Blackpool Clifton Extra
• Bolton Horwich Extra
• Borehamwood Extra
• Bradley Stoke Extra
• Broadstairs Extra
• Broughton Chester Extra
• Burnley Extra
• Cambridge Bar Hill Extra
• Cardiff Extra
• Cheshunt Extra
• Chesterfield Extra
• Clarehall Extra
• Cleethorpes Extra
• Colney Hatch Extra
• Coventry Arena Extra
• Cradley Heath Extra
• Crawley Extra
• Culverhouse Cross Extra
• Drogheda Extra
• Dudley Extra
• Dundee Extra
• Dunstable Extra
• Enfield Ponders End Extra
• Eston Cleveland Extra
• Finglas Clearwater Extra
• Gatwick Extra
• Gillingham Kent Extra
• Hanley Extra
• Hemel Hempstead Extra
• Hull St Stephens Extra
• Huntingdon Extra
• Kingston Extra
• Lakeside Extra
• Leeds Seacroft Extra
• Leicester Extra
• Leicester Hamilton Extra
• Liffey Valley extra
• Lincoln Extra
• Longton Extra
• Mansfield Jubilee Extra
• Maynooth Extra
• Merthyr Tydfil Extra
• Middlesbrough Coulby Newham Extra
• Naas Extra
• New Malden Extra
• Newcastle Upon Tyne Extra
• Newry Extra
• Northampton South Extra
• Northampton Weston Favell Extra
• Oldham Huddersfield Rd Extra
• Peterborough Extra
• Pontyclun Talbot Green Extra
• Prescot Extra
• Redditch Extra
• Romford Gallows Corner Extra
• Rotherham Wath-upon-dearne Extra
• Sandhurst Extra
• Sheffield Extra
• Silverburn Extra
• Slough Extra
• Southampton Extra
• St Helens Extra
• Swansea Cadle Extra
• Swindon Extra
• Walkden Extra
• Walsall Extra
• Warrington Extra
• Watford Extra
• Wembley Extra
• West Bromwich Extra
• Wilmslow Handforth Extra
• Wrexham Extra
• Yardley Extra
• Yate Extra
• Yeovil Extra
• York Extra

*In 2021, the National Autistic Society conducted a survey of over 1,500 parents who had autistic children under the age of 16.