Am I letting her be ridiculed?

[BuckToothGirlFromLuxembourg]

My DD (just turned 10) has ASD. She is young for her age and still enjoys playing with soft toys and dolls. She will often take her favourite toy for a walk round the block in her baby sling. She got money for her birthday and has saved up to buy a real baby buggy. Toy buggies are no good as she is 5 foot tall and she wanted a 'proper' one. The problem is my mother says I am setting her up to be ridiculed by letting her take this buggy out in public with her toys in. My daughter seems to be aware that other children her age don't do this but doesn't care. Should I be stopping this behaviour or doing what I am currently doing which is not giving a shit what people say? Thanks for reading!

[Polter]

It wouldn't bother me. I hate the only certain things for certain ages thing. If she's happy then that's ok.

[Whinberry]

My NT 11 year old dd asked for and got playmobil for her birthday (and last Christmas) which she had set up with the rest of her playmobil when her friends came for a sleepover. I was worried they would tease her about it as they seem to be getting into clothes, makeup etc now but they all loved it and played with it the whole time. I think 10/11/12 is difficult for any girl as many do still love that sort of play but most are feeling pressured to leave it. If your dd enjoys it still then let her carry on.

[BuckToothGirlFromLuxembourg]

Thanks, my daughter also has an extensive playmobil collection! The girls in her class seem to be very 'grown up'. I don't see the harm in letting her still play- she's only 10..

[StillMedusa]

I'd say let her have her pushchair, enjoy herself, and who cares what other people think?
FWIW my eldest DD was playing with playmobil figures in our sandpit...at 13 :) She is a very bright, dyspraxic, Aspie, who also happens to now be a 25 year old doctor! Her 'downtime' right into her teens was playing with figures. And I suspect she would jump at the chance now!
And my totally NT DS1 still has a HUGE box of lego and action figures . He's 24 and every so often he and his friends come round for a lego night :)

[pandyandy1]

My eldest (NT) DD is 9.5 and she plays with dolls, prams and soft toy dogs and kittens everyday!
I'm thrilled. Far better than growing up too fast!

[Moominmammacat]

Let her carry on. My DS had a talking doll for his 11th birthday. 25 now and no ill effects. Better that than a pile of tarty make up.

[elliejjtiny]

Let her do it if it makes her happy. I have an 11 year old who has aspergers syndrome and often plays with his wooden trains. Also if I'm doing messy play with my toddlers he will enthusiastically join in, often wearing just his pants so he can really get into it.