Loyal Companion and Astronaut Finn Play Set

It all began back on the morning of the 15^th December 2015. Hayden, then aged 5, and his mum Caroline were glued to their TV. Astronaut Tim Peake was preparing to blast off on a very important mission to the International Space Station. The day was to be momentous for a second reason - Major Peake was about to become the very first British Astronaut to reach the ISS. Lots of people were watching but perhaps none more closely than Hayden. 

Me and my mum who supports me in every step of my journey, helps me figure things out, makes opportunities possible and always tells me #YesYouCanDoIt #NoSuchThingAsCant #TeamWork #MyBestFriend #MyMum 💫🚀❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yl1c1snHrX

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) July 31, 2018

As millions of people The countdown began “10, 9, 8, 7…” and then suddenly, something very unexpected happened which stunned Caroline: Hayden joined in the countdown. You see, up until that moment, Hayden had been non-verbal, relying on a series of printed cards to help him communicate. The spark that Tim Peake’s Principia mission ignited, opened-up new worlds for Hayden - now diagnosed with autism and ADHD - triggering an interest in all things space-related.

Delighted that Hayden is making such great progress - next stop Mars for that brave young lad!

— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) April 20, 2017

 Hayden explains what spurred his immediate fascination with all things space: 

“Astronauts helped me learn more about our planet, how beautiful it is from space, how important it is to take care of it. One day my dream is to go to space, to the moon or to mars.” 

 Hayden didn’t realise that the Principa mission was historical for a second reason – joining Tim Peake aboard the Russian spacecraft Soyuz was none other than Stargazer Lottie! Inspired by a six-year-old girl called Abigail and produced in collaboration with the European Space Agency, Lottie was making a place for herself in the history books by becoming the first doll in space.

Tim Peake with Astro Adventure Lottie

It seems only fitting then, that Hayden has now inspired an addition to the Lottie Dolls’ range. Loyal Companion Finn has been developed to reflect the Lottie vision: that childhood should be an inclusive place, where every child belongs regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability. The set will include communication cards, ear defenders and an assistance puppy with a blue bandana. The bandana’s colour helps to signpost that the dog has been trained to support a child with autism. The doll is dressed in Hayden's signature blue flight jumpsuit complete with badges. A second outfit is also included with Jeans, silver sneakers and a teeshirt, the names on the teeshirt were selected from a competition naming famous people with Autism. 

Understanding Autism

Autism is a very complex neurological condition in which the receptors of the brain do not function as they do with most people. Thought processes can be interrupted or happen too fast making it difficult for the person in question to concentrate on one thing at a time. Interaction with others can be affected, but not always. Learning difficulties can be experienced but not always. Issues with communication can be present but again not always. The condition can be summed up perfectly thus: "You meet one person with Autism, you meet one person with Autism. No two people are the same". We are learning more and more about the condition every day.

Read more about autism here

What we do know is that people with autism can develop and learn when provided with the right level of support. Each has his or her own strengths and weaknesses and have, like any of us, a great deal of potential to become someone truly remarkable.

ToyLikeMe, a UK non-profit company who campaign for a broader range of toys in both ability and ethnicity so that children can see themselves reflected in the toys they play with, were eager to support the development. Founder Rebecca Atkinson said, “When I became a mum myself, I wanted the global toy industry to act, to better represent the 150 million children worldwide with disability and difference.”

Where does the months fly to? Hayden with @ian_harkin at @Lottie_dolls HQ earlier this year.. A life changing day from then, how things have progressed in Hayden being the first boy to be inspired Finn Doll. #Autism #ADHD #RepresentationMatters #Inclusive #Diversity pic.twitter.com/CJB9BccjV9

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) July 17, 2018

Hayden visits Team Lottie's office earlier this year!

Dr Sian Jones, a psychologist from Goldsmiths, University of London has conducted several in depth studies into the effects of playing with toys with disability and difference on the attitudes of children without either. Interviewing hundreds of children, she found that after playing with toys like the Loyal Companion Finn Doll, children were much more open to forming friendships with peers they might previously have considered as being ‘different’.

Hayden has met with many astros within the space industry, professors, scientists, goes to lots of events and did media work.. But one thing he loves and only thing he has imaginative play with is the @Lottie_dolls crew #DESTEMChat pic.twitter.com/msAQDz9j8V

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) May 31, 2018

 Hayden's Famous Followers

Everyone who hears Hayden's story is easily captivated by it - none more so than his heroes themselves. Since 2015, Hayden has garnered the attention and praise of some of the most famous astronauts and physicists in the business including French Astronaut Claudie Haigneré.

#OTD 17 August 1996 Astronaut Claudie Haigneré becomes 1st French woman in space. I had a chat with her last year at ESTEC #Astronaut_Hayden 💫🚀 pic.twitter.com/2joS65bNgN

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) August 17, 2018

 He has also met with European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli:

High-flying Cork flags return to Earth https://t.co/Taf4S1uLWS pic.twitter.com/3l0eoV9hEX

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) July 24, 2018

And also with US astronaut and engineer Dan Tani:

Where has a year gone to #OTD Hayden had an amazing meeting with @NASA's @Astro_Tani Dan Tani in Dublin at @InspireSpace event.. Great memories to treasure on his own journey to one day going to Space #Astronaut_Hayden #ASDkidsInSTEM @Lottie_dolls pic.twitter.com/sxR3tUIjOr

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) July 14, 2018

One of the highlights of his journey so far might well be his meeting with Commander Chris Hadfield pictured here in July 2017!

Happy #CanadaDay and only person I've met from Canada 🍁 happens to be one of the Coolest Astronaut's @Cmdr_Hadfield hope your enjoying your day Chris, and also our Canadian Twitter Friends 😀🍁🤗 pic.twitter.com/JlwFUHYvxP

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) July 1, 2018

  Advocate for Space Exploration

When he's not spending his time rubbing shoulders with his heroes, Hayden busies himself encouraging others to explore the wonder and mystery of space. He is a member of The Mars Generation which aims to generate and promote interest in space exploration. He is one of the youngest space ambassador students in the world.

Here's Hayden explaining how astronauts use towels in space:

For today's #Vlog #Astronaut_Hayden is going to show you how Astronauts get towels in space to wash! It's magic..@Space_Station @esaspaceflight @esa @astro_timpeake @Paxi_ESAKids @Lottie_dolls @Dr_Niamh_Shaw @StarStuffSteve #ASDkidsInSTEM #BeAwesome pic.twitter.com/39PTrgLHNM

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) June 14, 2018

 And here he is teaching his followers what happens just before launch:

It's LAUNCH day for @esa's @Astro_Alex Hayden here tells us what happens before the launch.. 
Have an awesome day where ever you all are in the world #Horizons @esaspaceflight @Paxi_ESAKids @DLR_en @astro_cimon @Lottie_dolls @Dr_Niamh_Shaw @scotontherock5 @DavidBflower pic.twitter.com/lWsXvPgaiB

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) June 6, 2018

Hayden in the News

Needless to say, a boy as inspiring and interesting as Hayden often finds his way into the news! Here are just a few of his many many appearances: 

Check out Haydens story in today's news. His inspired @Lottie_dolls
Revealed. @astro_timpeake @mggtTaylor @ScienceNelson @esaspaceflight @Dr_Niamh_Shaw @BoeingSpace @torybruno @ProfBrianCox @Astro_Clay @TheMarsGen #diversity #RepresentationMatters https://t.co/QIEV7VgOMd

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) August 24, 2018

 And when Tim Peake sent him a very special message from the ISS: 

#OTD 2 years ago after Tim Peakes Launch..this is the story BBC covered about Haydens Journey ⭐🚀
BBC News - Tim Peake's message for Limavady boy with autism https://t.co/UGuIjbpxKy

— Journey with #Astronaut_Hayden (@carolineGx8) December 15, 2017

High-flying Cork flags return to Earth https://t.co/Taf4S1uLWS pic.twitter.com/3l0eoV9hEX

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) July 24, 2018

 We can't wait to see what space-related headlines Hayden makes next!

Read how toys can help children overcome prejudice here