Mom Invents 'Bear Hug' Cape for Kids with Autism

Lucy Horne watched her son Jake squirm and reach for razors during haircuts, overwhelmed by bright lights, smells, and sounds. The Deniliquin, Australia mother knew she needed a solution that would keep his hands busy and his body calm.

Jake was diagnosed with autism at age four after struggling with health issues from birth. People on the autism spectrum often experience heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, and textures, making everyday activities like haircuts feel unbearable.

So Horne invented the Big Hug sensory cape. The soft bamboo fabric wraps around children like a weighted blanket, while hidden pockets contain small fidget toys to keep restless hands occupied.

The cape worked beautifully for Jake during haircuts and dinner time, where it helped prevent him from running around and potentially choking. Horne realized other families might benefit too.

Six-year-old Charlie Berry isn't on the autism spectrum, but his mother Brittany says the cape works wonders on her overactive son. "He was instantly amused by the fidgets and was distracted from what was actually going on," she said.

Charlie summed up the experience perfectly: "It feels like a bear hug."

The Ripple Effect

Horne believes the cape could help in dentist offices, medical appointments, and even for people with dementia who become anxious. She hopes to mass produce the invention so more families can access it.

Professor Nicole Rinehart from Monash University says sensory tools like the Big Hug represent a growing trend in autism support. "There's a growing research body that's looking at how can we use tech, how can we use other things like fidget toys to reduce the sensory load of children with autism when they're in high sensory environments," she explained.

Rinehart emphasizes these tools work best as part of a holistic approach, since no single solution fits everyone. But for families struggling through difficult moments, having options makes all the difference.

Horne's message to other parents is simple: when you're in crisis mode, know that solutions exist.