14-Year-Old Autistic South African's Business is BOOMING!

Photo Cred: Clayden's Designs

What started as posters has now turned into a booming business with an entire range of art pieces, pillows, blankets hoodies, shorts, pants and leggings.

Western Cape, South Africa (20 April 2022) – Clayden Botes’ mom started sharing his artwork on Facebook two years ago, and since then, his little hobby has turned into a booming business!

Clayden was diagnosed with autism at the age of 6. His journey is not one that any person should have to endure… he is unable to read or write and has been rejected by society. But this is not a story of despair. It is a story about a young man unwilling to accept the stigma and hopelessness of an autism diagnosis.

Antoinette Botes – Clayden’s mom – shared his posters on Facebook in 2020 to try to help bring in some money for art supplies, but two years later and the 14-year-old’s designs have turned into a real little business!

What started as posters has now turned into an entire range of art pieces, pillows, blankets hoodies, shorts, pants and leggings.

“I believe that it’s ok to be different. Each piece of art is handcrafted and a one of a kind.”

Clayden’s art is a vibrant and colourful representation of a courageous young man that has overcome life’s challenges by never giving up. It is an expression of himself for the world to appreciate.

Sometimes in life, we feel overwhelmed, and it seems like there’s nowhere to turn, but this story brings hope and inspires us all to never give up. It’s just when you feel you can not go on that a door opens for you.

You can check out more of Clayden’s Designs by clicking here.