Gallery: Air-Pumped Mascot Costumes Turn Autistic Kids Into Outgoing Entertainers

  • ffmascotsf
    01

    ff-mascots-f

    *Photo: Andrew Hetherington*
  • ffmascots7f
    02

    ff-mascots7-f

    The Deal Chicken comes with a Silly String holder for blasting onlookers. *Photo: Andrew Hetherington*
  • ffmascots3f
    03

    ff-mascots3-f

    Inventor Lee Bowen with a two-headed dragon suit. *Photo: Andrew Hetherington*
  • ffmascots4f
    04

    ff-mascots4-f

    Versions of the costumes—pop-up, supersize, supervillains—even appear on Broadway. "If something looks cool," Bowen says, "we'll do it." *Photo: Andrew Hetherington*
  • ffmascots5f
    05

    ff-mascots5-f

    Autistic pilot Nate Sangimino dons his mascot costume. "The costume is a sort of insulator. It's easier to socialize because it's a safer environment." *Photo: Andrew Hetherington*
  • ffmascots6f
    06

    ff-mascots6-f

    Autistic pilot Elisabeth Cyr dons her mascot costume. *Photo: Andrew Hetherington*