Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Playing with Toys

[@CaptLuser]

speaking as an autistic adult, these tendencies don’t really go away, they just take a more practical form. i’m very organized and animals like how i pet them; i consider these traits to be strengths.

[@DrBethColby]

Thank you for your post. Many autistic traits are strengths. Best wishes, Beth

[@Tina-Supra]

I saw my dad blowing bubbles and clawed at them like a cat trying to burst them

[@leandrogomes7738]

Dude, autism, specially "light autism" is actually a superpower

[@enfieldjohn101]

When I was a little boy, I chewed absentmindedly on my toys until I was about three or four. My mom even bought me dog toys because I was biting bits off the toys meant for teething children. She had to remove any squeakers in them though because the squeaks would freak me out. When I was four-almost five, I finally stopped chewing on toys, but still chewed on my shirt collar tips (it was the 70s in a rural ranching community so we wore a lot of collared shirts with big collars), especially if I was stressed - which was often. When Fisher Price came out with the Adventure People, my family got me several of the vehicles and figures, especially the boats because I was afraid of water and hated baths and swimming. They hoped that tub toys would help and they did a little. I never got over my fear of having my face in the water though. Not even with a snorkel and mask on. I liked the mask and snorkel, but only for pretending to be an alien or something, not for swimming. When Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, etc. toys came out, I was older so I didnt chew on them, but I still played with them differently from my peers. Rather than pretend that the figures were living characters in their story worlds, I would pretend that I was making my own movies with them and that they were my special effects models. I even learned how to operate my moms camcorder so I could actually film them when she got the camera for her birthday one year. Made stop motion animations with it too. When not playing with something, I would put it away without being asked. I kept my room almost spotless and everything organized on shelves and in boxes. Id line things up by size, color, alphabetically, numerically, etc. I still tend to do that. Im married now and Im the neat and tidy one who keeps the house organized.

[@Elvee427]

My nephew is obsessed with fruits. Real and toys. He always lines them up and gets upset if one us moves it. We have autism running in the family and I’m just trying to see early signs in him so we can intervene

[@tinyking11]

My 2 year old son is obsessed with fruits as well plus numbers letters and colors. He just started lining everything up. He’s autistic as well.

[@DrBethColby]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@Jasonsadventures]

I've noticed my son with most autism doesn't look at toys while he's playing with them. He looks at where the toy is going. Ahead of the toy. Very interesting. He's starting playing with cars and figures in typical ways rather than just spinning wheels 10 hours a day but yeah he doesn't look at them.

[@ArtsyMegz_On_Etsy]

What if I used to manipulate objects and observe all of its parts, feel it, taste it, and then eventually used it for its purpose? And what if I formed a strong attachment to a stuffed animal, as sort of an imaginary friend, didn't make them talk, but just felt the limbs, ears, eyes, and the tag on a bear, but still put it in a sitting position? I show a lot of signs of autism as an adult, but gaslight myself and feel guilty for not staying in touch with people, or being late for a birthday party because I am bad with directions. Does this indicate signs of autism?

[@CaptLuser]

sounds autistic

[@Think_positive131]

At what age babies do this kind of play

[@SierraAspenAutumn]

My girl is 3 and I’ve noticed this for over a year. When she was a baby she liked the same songs over and over again.

[@rosamcdonald6780]

Thank you for this video. My son is being referred to the paediatrician. I’m googling my life away at the minute. He would throw the ball but throws everything. Bubbles he tips the mixture out usually if I can not stop him quick enough but it’s a good one for him to repeat “more please”. The cuddly toy he just throws them around.

[@DrBethColby]

Glad it was helpful, Rosa. I hope you don't have to wait too long to see the paediatrician. Best wishes, Beth

[@boligard]

My son (2 will be 3 October 30th) loves to steal the water bottles out of the package and line them up on the dresser and count them he's a goofball I love him

[@boligard]

@Jass Mine what herbs are you using I'd like to use them for my son

[@dunianininora3317]

What should i give birthday gift to my 4 y.o autism nephew?

[@DrBethColby]

Hi there! All autistic people are different. Some have deep interests in one particular thing, eg transport, a type of animal, etc. Ask the nephew's mother what he is really in to.

[@neetisaxena6520]

My baby doesn't touch this ball he get scares don't know why..he pop out bubbles and he plays with soft toy he doesn't line up toys but he obsessed with vehicles every vehicles

[@DrBethColby]

Thank you for the post. These examples of how some autistic children play differently with toys are not diagnostic of autism. All the best, Beth

[@subhankardawn8972]

Hi this is helpful also want you as my son is doing the same how to rectify this behaviour

[@DrBethColby]

Hi there. There is nothing wrong with this behaviour, it is just a different way of playing. Best wishes, Beth

[@raea3588]

This isn't a behavior. This is your son. This is how your son plays and it's okay. There's no need to rectify it, change it... let your son be himself. God Bless!

[@rainbowkitten8990]

I am 22 and I still haven't grown out of repeative play. I have this tower and I can let the balls roll down for half an hour and not get bored! It is so soothing for me

[@DrBethColby]

It is really important to be able to soothe ourselves. Beth

[@MumLife2024]

Thank you so much for this my son does all these, eye opening 💙

[@DrBethColby]

You're very welcome, Leah. Best wishes, Beth

[@voxpopuli5663]

She didn’t show anything. Where is footage of children playing?

[@davidhollow9976]

My son lines his toys but doesn’t do any of the tendencies of Austism , he only lines toys up not sure what to do

[@DrBethColby]

Hi David, This video shows how some children with autism may play differently with toys than children without autism. It is not diagnostic of autism. Best wishes, Beth

[@CharizardtrainerCharizardtrain]

Hi,my 3 year kid well played but he doesn't want to play with other new kids,and don't say hi bye with other new eladers when they wish,

[@amaltom2961]

Thank you Dr Colby for providing such an informative video about Autism. I would like to get in contact with you to know more about the disorder. Awaiting your replay.

[@DrBethColby]

Thank you, Amal. I have a playlist on autism, if you'd like to see some other videos.

[@gaetannest-coeur]

What i notice with mine is he want to do everything on his own, climb all the time to get what he wants, he knows how to point but he doesn’t like to do that while showing what he needs, he always goes to get what he wants 😅

[@DrBethColby]

Mister independent, well done him! Best wishes, Beth

[@flashahhasavedeveryoneofus2824]

Thank u

[@DrBethColby]

You're very welcome! Beth

[@robertsaladino]

Kids without Austism do all these things

[@PlusVK22]

That's true. I think with autism, they're saying it's the frequency and amount of it though... Do typically developing kids do these things excessively and nonstop?