connecting through plushies

Most kids learn to socialize naturally at a very young age.  Moms schedule playdates where the kids play near each other.  Eventually, these same kids play with each other.  When you have a child with PDD or Autism, that learning process is not so natural.  Over the years, SJ has slowly learned to socialize.  He is still developmentally behind in some areas.  We have found that he uses his puppets or plushies (the new hip term for stuff animals) to practice conversation skills.  It is amazing to watch him and Bob play with the plushies and have a typical play moment.  SJ will adapt the story and insert Mario or Bowser as the characters he is trying to recreate.  He is very animated and engaging with us as a family when he is putting on a show with his toys.  Although you may not be seeing this behavior in a typical child his age, we still feel that he needs to go through these developmental stages.  I love watching him grow and narrow the gap in his developmental delays.  When I watch him playing with Bob or other friends, I am thankful that he has these toys to use as tools.  They are helping him be a little less clumsy in the typical world.