Alfie Aldridge's behavior has improved significantly since he started doing shoots for brands including River Island and H&M
A boy with autism who was banned from his school photo and other events because of anger issues is now a model for River Island, H&M and Land Rover.
And Alfie Aldridge’s behaviour has improved since he started doing shoots.
The 11-year-old was so stressed in school teachers stopped him taking part in activities, including plays.
He was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and moved to a specialist school.
Alfie was then talent scouted by a model agency for children with disabilities.
Dad Gary, 50, said: "I want people to know disabilities can’t stop your dreams".
“Since starting modelling he just seems different. It was like he was born to do it. Its helped him to come out of himself. From a boy that was angry all the time he is now so confident. It’s just fabulous.
“The modelling and acting has made him grow so much, he doesn’t get angry like he would have done
“Before leaving mainstream school it looked like we had no hope, but the things he’s achieved now are fantastic.”
Alfie, of Letchworth, Herts, added: “I am very excited about my modelling and I want to be a top model when I am older.
“When I go in for a shoot they do my hair and makeup and it makes me feel like a celebrity. I talk to my friends about it at school and they say it’s really cool.”
The youngster switched from mainstream education to Larwood School, in Stevenage. A family friend suggested he tried out as a model and he was soon picked up by Zebedee Management.
Businessman Gary said: “I tried different things like swimming lessons or gymnastics and football, but he doesn’t like working in a group. When we found his real passion, modelling, he was so much more relaxed.”
Alfie still has problems socialising with his peers and working within groups.
But dad-of-three Gary, who has split with the boy’s mum, added: “He doesn’t get aggressive any more and never on set.”
Alfie has his next shoot this week and will be on the catwalk in December.
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Posted on 21:00, 17 SEP 2018
UPDATED 21:02, 17 SEP 2018
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/autistic-boy-who-banned-school-13261587