Tanner Smith X AutiLove Partnership
Why AutiLove Chose Tanner Smith: A Partnership Built on Purpose, Family and Possibility
Celebrating a Partnership That Goes Far Beyond Clothing
On August 1, 2026, AutiLove officially began a partnership with someone we believe represents so much of what our brand stands for: Tanner Smith.
Many people first discovered Tanner through Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, where his infectious personality, honesty, kindness and positive outlook quickly made him a fan favorite. But to us, Tanner's story is about so much more than television.
It is a story about family.
It is a story about faith.
It is a story about perseverance.
And most importantly, it is a story about refusing to let other people's expectations define what is possible.
Tanner has spent his life breaking through barriers and showing the world that people with intellectual disabilities and autism deserve the opportunity to pursue education, employment, independence, relationships, dreams and a life filled with purpose.
That is exactly the kind of story we want AutiLove to stand behind.
Tanner Smith: More Than What People See on Netflix
Tanner was diagnosed with autism at a young age, and his journey has included challenges that many families in the autism community understand firsthand.
But Tanner and his family have continued to push forward.
His journey eventually led him to Clemson University and the ClemsonLIFE program, where he developed skills centered around education, employment, independent living and community involvement. Tanner graduated from the program in 2022.
Today, Tanner works at The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson and lives independently. His story is an example of what can happen when individuals with disabilities are given opportunities, support and the expectation that they can accomplish meaningful things.
Then came Love on the Spectrum.
The Netflix series introduced Tanner to millions of viewers as he navigated dating, relationships and life while openly sharing his experiences as an autistic adult. His personality and positivity resonated with audiences around the world.
But Love on the Spectrum wasn't the end of Tanner's story.
In many ways, it was only the beginning of a much larger platform.
Since appearing on the series, Tanner has continued traveling, working, creating content, meeting people, participating in events and using his growing platform to bring greater visibility to autism and the importance of inclusion. He has also continued challenging himself to try new experiences and encouraging others to live life to the fullest.
Tanner's message is simple but powerful: spread joy, be kind and don't let limitations determine your future.
The ClemsonLIFE Program
One of the most important parts of Tanner's story is ClemsonLIFE.
ClemsonLIFE — which stands for Learning Is For Everyone — is a postsecondary program at Clemson University designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
The program combines academic coursework, employment preparation, independent-living instruction and social development to help students become more self-sufficient and prepared for competitive employment. Students learn practical skills such as budgeting, cooking, transportation, workplace skills, self-advocacy, health and wellness, and independent living.
It is more than a classroom.
Students live in apartments, work jobs, participate in campus activities, build relationships and learn how to navigate the world with greater independence. ClemsonLIFE also pairs students with mentors from throughout the Clemson community.
Clemson describes the program as a collegiate experience designed to prepare young adults with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living.
And Tanner is living proof of what that opportunity can help make possible.
Tanner's Legacy Is Already Growing
In 2026, family friends established the Tanner Smith Endowment for ClemsonLIFE in his honor.
The endowment was created to help provide future ClemsonLIFE students with opportunities to develop job skills, independent-living skills and the experiences necessary to pursue greater independence and meaningful lives. Clemson University describes the gift as a way to extend Tanner's legacy and help other young adults with intellectual disabilities benefit from the same kinds of opportunities that helped shape his journey.
That is something we believe is incredibly powerful.
Tanner isn't simply benefiting from the opportunities he received.
He is helping create opportunities for the people who come after him.
Learn more about the Tanner Smith Endowment through Clemson University's announcement.
You can also learn more about ClemsonLIFE at Clemson University.
Why AutiLove Chose Tanner
When AutiLove began looking for an ambassador, we had opportunities to work with major athletes, creators and other recognizable names.
But we kept coming back to one question:
Who truly embodies what AutiLove is about?
For us, the answer was Tanner.
AutiLove was created around the belief that everyone deserves to feel comfortable being exactly who they are. Our clothing is designed to embrace uniqueness, encourage confidence and create opportunities for people to feel included.
Tanner doesn't simply talk about those values.
He lives them.
His story represents perseverance in the face of obstacles. His life demonstrates the importance of opportunity. His personality brings people together. And his willingness to share his experiences has helped millions of people see autism and intellectual disability through a more personal and human lens.
That authenticity is what drew us to him.
A Family Partnership
When AutiLove traveled to South Carolina for our first photo shoot with Tanner, we knew we didn't want the experience to be solely about Tanner.
We wanted his family there.
Because Tanner's story is also a family story.
From the very beginning, we were welcomed by Tanner and his family with an incredible level of warmth and authenticity. Spending time together away from cameras and social media gave us an opportunity to see the people behind the story.
What stood out to us was how genuinely they love one another.
Their faith is also an important part of their lives, and that was something we saw not simply in what they said, but in the way they treated people, welcomed us and carried themselves.
Working alongside Tanner and his family has been an honor for everyone at AutiLove.
This partnership isn't something we want to build around a single photo shoot, a discount code or a social media post.
We want it to be a relationship that continues to grow.
How Your Purchase Helps Tanner's Mission
As part of our partnership, AutiLove created a special discount code:
Use Code TANNER at Checkout
Customers can use TANNER when shopping with AutiLove to receive a special discount on their purchase.
But there is something more behind that code.
AutiLove is strategically donating the sales generated through the TANNER discount code to Tanner's Endowment at ClemsonLIFE.
That means your purchase can do more than add something new to your closet.
It can help support opportunities for future ClemsonLIFE students.
This is exactly what we believe a partnership should be — not simply putting a name on a product, but turning a relationship into an opportunity to give back.
A Shared Mission
Giving has always been part of the AutiLove mission.
Approximately 10% of AutiLove sales are dedicated to supporting autism and special-needs initiatives across the country. Through the years, that mission has allowed us to support organizations, families and programs working to create greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Our partnership with Tanner gives us another opportunity to put that mission into action.
And this time, we get to support something deeply connected to Tanner's own story.
ClemsonLIFE has helped Tanner build skills, independence and confidence. Now, through the Tanner Smith Endowment, his story can help open doors for future students.
That is the kind of impact we want to be part of.
What Comes Next?
We are incredibly excited about what this partnership can become.
We believe Tanner is a role model for countless people — not because he has achieved some impossible version of perfection, but because he continues to be authentically himself.
He has faced challenges.
He has stepped outside his comfort zone.
He has found success.
He has built independence.
He has used his platform to spread awareness.
And he continues to dream about what comes next.
That is what makes Tanner such a natural fit for AutiLove.
We don't believe people should be defined by a diagnosis, a disability, a limitation or someone else's expectations.
We believe everyone has something unique to bring to the world.
Tanner continues to show us what can happen when someone is given the opportunity to discover exactly what that something is.
And we are honored to walk alongside him.
Join Us in Supporting Tanner's Mission
Shop AutiLove and use code TANNER at checkout.
A portion of the sales generated through the code will be directed toward Tanner's Endowment at ClemsonLIFE, helping support opportunities for future students with intellectual disabilities.
Shop. Give. Make an Impact.
Because at AutiLove, we believe clothing can be more than something you wear.
It can be a way to show the world what you believe in.
And this partnership is something we believe in deeply.
Learn More
Welcome to the AutiLove family, Tanner.
We can't wait to see where this journey takes us.
