But a talent agency dashed the 15-month-old’s modelling dreams when it refused to consider his photos for an open casting call for OshKosh B’gosh. The only reason? Asher has Down Syndrome.

Last summer, Meagan Nash sent her little boys photos, which were taken by photographer Crystal Barbee, to a Georgia talent agency. The unnamed agency refused to submit Asher’s photos to the clothing company because, although he was the right size and had the right eye and hair colour, he didn’t fit the casting criteria, CNN reported.

The broadcaster reviewed email exchanges between Nash and the agency which confirmed that although OshKosh had not specifically said it did not want to use a child with special needs, the agency had assumed the company would not be interested in a model with Down Syndrome.

[blockquote source=”mds”]”I have not seen the full compliment of photos that Asher’s parents sent to the talent agency. However if the pics by Crystal Barbee only pose this tyke with little trace of his Down Syndrome, then isn’t this a case of hiding the differences instead of celebrating them? I wonder about Down Syndrome beauty having to be normative.”][/blockquote]

Frustrated by the agency’s response, Nash shared her story, and adorable photos of Asher looking dapper in a navy and white striped bow tie, to the Changing the Face of Beauty Facebook page earlier this month.

“We aren’t giving up! This handsome boy is ready to show the world what #changingthefaceofbeauty is,” she wrote.

Her story was reposted by the Kids With Down Syndrome page on Oct. 11 and it has since been shared more than 125,000 times — turning Asher into a social media star.

All the attention even prompted OshKosh B’gosh to invite Asher to a private meeting next week.

“We look forward to meeting with Asher and his family, as well as taking steps to enhance the representation of diverse children in our marketing,” the company said in a statement to ABC News.

[blockquote source=”mds”]”It’s nice that OshKosh is responding in a positive way. However given the exposure that Asher’s parents have generated for their son, the company would have been seen as cruel and discriminatory if they hadn’t at least agreed to consider the little boy as one of their models for an upcoming campaign. Does this diminish the good this will do for the community of children who ‘look different?’”[/blockquote]

Nash told CNN that her goal was never to force OshKosh to use her son in an advertisement “because of this fuss we are making on the Internet.” She just wants her son to have a fair chance.

“Anytime the camera is around he always gets a big grin on his face like he knows it’s time to smile,” she told CNN.

Even if OshKosh doesn’t end up using him, she’s happy that their story has brought attention to special needs children during Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

[blockquote source=”mds”]”Great comment by the mother. She really has created additional awareness of Down Syndrome, which affects about 1 in every 670 or so children born (North American statistics). The parents’ advocacy for their son is admirable in this regard.”[/blockquote]

“It’s important to feature people with special needs in advertisement for three reasons. The first reason is inclusion. People with disabilities want to be included amongst their peers in life in general and being seen in advertisement is a part of that,” Nash told CNN.

“The second reason, which is very near and dear to my heart, is acceptance. Without truly accepting my son and others with special needs, there can be no inclusion for them in the future.

“And the last reason is respect. Using people with special needs shows the world that these people have value and worth just like any typical person does.”