Despite societal advancements in acceptance and progress, there remains a tendency for individuals to pass judgment on things they have little understanding of. This is particularly true for neurodivergent individuals who are often stigmatized and marginalized. With this in mind, AWARE Apparel PDX is an organization that is committed to breaking these stereotypes by advocating and empowering neurodivergent individuals. AWARE Apparel PDX aims to destigmatize neurodiversity and to create a more inclusive and understanding society.
The innovative and inspiring venture of AWARE Apparel PDX is ingeniously using fashion and everyday wear as a powerful tool to raise awareness and educate the community about neurodiversity. Their clothing line carries meaningful pieces, such as a statement hoodie that reads “Neurodivergent is the New Normal“, which is a crucial message that is essential for our society to embrace. It is important to remember that 15 to 20 percent of the population exhibits neurodivergence, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. This brand is inspiring a new way of thinking and a new way of being, it’s paving the way for a more inclusive and understanding society.
AWARE Apparel PDX is the brainchild of co-founders Angel Prater and Fawn Preston-Holmes, who are respected professionals in the mental and emotional wellness space. They have established an impressive portfolio of initiatives that focus on promoting the importance of trauma AWAREness and neurodiversity, including AWARE Consulting Group Inc. Their experience, expertise, and dedication are evident in the impactful work they do to support these important causes.
In alignment with their mission of eliminating the stigmatization and discrimination towards neurodivergent individuals, the founders of AWARE Apparel PDX have not only created visually striking apparel but also developed a comprehensive system aimed at challenging and transforming existing structures. As noted by Angel Prater, the majority of traditional educational systems, which have been in place for centuries, are heavily focused on standardized programs that are taught in a neurotypical manner. This approach is not inclusive of the diverse ways in which individuals learn and process information, and the founders aim to change this through their advocacy and education efforts.
In response to these challenges, the visionary founders of AWARE Apparel PDX have launched an innovative initiative to address these issues. The Keep Calm and Connect training program, developed by the founders, aims to bring awareness, individuality, and authenticity to the forefront by designing a program that complements all learning styles, empowering those who identify as “Neurodivergent” to embrace their authenticity and individuality fully. This approach is a new and exciting way of addressing the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, and it is changing the way society views and supports them.
“We appeal to all learning styles, and we emphasize neurodivergence because there’s a lot of invisible different abilities, generally known as disabilities, out there. Different abilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, being on the autism spectrum and/or gifted spectrum, things like that, that aren’t seen as “the norm”. And so, our “Neurodivergent is the New Normal” initiative is something that we highlight, as everything that we do is from that lens. Both Fawn and I are neurodivergent, and everyone that we contract with or add to our team is in some way neurodivergent or differently abled. Therefore, it brings in a whole different way of learning and teaching for us as educators,” the founder shared. “We focus on releasing shame and highlighting seeing our differences as superpowers.”
With their carefully crafted strategy and evident passion for their advocacy, Angel Prater and Fawn Preston-Holmes are poised to significantly advance the conversation on mental health awareness. More importantly, AWARE Apparel PDX, they have shone a necessary light on normalizing neurodiversity. Their vision and dedication will undoubtedly make a meaningful and lasting impact. Join us in spreading AWAREness.
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Check out our websites:
AWARE Global Initiative – https://www.awareglobal.org/
AWARE Consulting Group – https://awareconsulting.org/
AWARE Apparel PDX – https://awareapparelpdx.com/
Keep Calm & Connect On-Demand – https://www.awareglobal.org/keep-calm-connect-pre-sales
