The Harry Harness - Autism & Special Needs Harness

A thoughtfully designed harness that is simple, comfortable, and supportive, created by Joanne, a mother to Harry, who is autistic and has ADHD, and faces significant challenges as a result.

Joanne knows first-hand how difficult it can be to keep loved ones safe and calm in busy or unfamiliar places. That’s why she designed a harness that helps individuals and their carers stay connected in a way that’s gentle, respectful, and practical.

Whether you're heading out to the shops, going on school trips, or just walking down the street, The Harry Harness offers peace of mind - without sacrificing independence.

As a Personal Assistant, I was super excited to try out ‘The Harry Harness’ for the little girl I care for. She’s a very busy 6 year old girl who is definitely on the go and non stop!

Before the harness it was always a worry taking her out to busy environments on my own as when she knew what she wanted she would definitely go for it! This caused my mum to come a lot as it took away a bit of the anxiety of being on my own with her. But since using the harness with her it has been indescribable!

The change has been so great, I now feel super comfortable taking her out on my own and she now has the freedom to move freely at her own pleasure. I have found that it makes her a lot happier when we are out as it gives her that independence that she didn’t have before as I felt a need to always have tight hold of her - especially in busy places that she enjoyed.

She loves wearing the harness now as in my eyes I believe she associates it with that extra freedom that she didn’t get as such before with me, due to the nerves.

I have honestly found the harness to have such a positive impact on my job as a carer, it makes going out much more enjoyable and safe. It enables you to have full control over the child whilst being able to keep your hands free for bags, prams etc and anything you need to have whilst caring for the child.

I can’t describe how much this harness has changed things for me as a carer and additionally the parents to the child I care for and I couldn’t recommend anything more!

When learning that I was one of two TA’s with Harry on his morning out of school to Rebound, I must admit I was quite nervous. Supporting Harry around school is honestly a pleasure as he is such a happy boy, but I knew that taking him out of his school environment, on to a minibus with other SEN children who he hadn’t socialised with before and then transitioning into an unfamiliar building would definitely be a challenge.

I was also aware that previously when visiting Rebound, Harry had eloped out of one of the firedoors and out onto a busy carpark. This resulted in the decision being made that Harry would not go on future visits for his own safety.

I had seen the Harry Harness in action on mums social media and had always thought that it must be a godsend and that is what the harness has proved to be on our morning out.

Harry allowed me to put the harness on in class without a problem, alhough I did get a side eye as if he was wondering, ‘what the heck is Adele doing putting this on me?’ But the moment I attached the harness on to me I felt much calmer and in a weird way I felt that Harry did too. Almost as if he knew that he was safe, which was exactly how I was feeling.

I felt that Harry knew he could still move freely & independently when getting onto the minibus and into his seat. He could still easily fasten his seat belt and happily juggle his bottle as his arms are free and not binded by a strap.

Harry walked independently into Rebound and the harness gave him enough freedom to run, jump, swing and bounce on all of the equipment without getting tangled or held back. He moved non stop for over an hour!

The Harry Harness has certainly given us the confidence now to plan other outings with Harry and will definitely give a whole new feeling of freedom and more importantly safety to anyone that uses it.

We as a class have welcomed using The Harry Harness into our weekly morning outing. It has becomea vital piece of equipment that is really easy to use but does such an amazing job. Well done Joanne! (and Harry).