Playtime

Ryan has never played 'normally'. For example, as a toddler, he would lay on the floor and watch the wheels of a matchbox car roll on the ground, rather than use it to 'drive'. He would hold or carry toys around but never use them properly or pretend with them. Even a couple weeks ago when my parents bought him a Thomas the Train track, he used it for a day or two and now only carries the train that came with it around.

And playing with peers has been virtually non-existant. He doesn't have imagination in the way that typical children do. He is too logical, too set to following rules to pretend that something is something else.

We had a playdate with an "Autism Friend" (this is what Ryan calls his friends who also have Autism) the other night. The boys PLAYED together. There were times that they were doing their own thing but they engaged, laughed and played like typical little boys. It was heartwarming. He's made such amazing progress in his social skills!!