Good? To be encouraged?

[Barmymummy]

DS does very limited role play. He hates dressing up and the only role play he enjoys is pretending to be a chef and doing cooking for us.

This months obsession is ten pin bowling. Bye bye trains, hello bowling

However, not only is he playing bowling at every opportunity he is now watching the bowling my DH taped off sky sports and is copying the players move for move!

So for example he has just asked me to clap when 'the man' (himself) comes in so is asking me to be the audience clapping. He then walks in, sits down like they do, unscrews the lid of his imaginary bottle of water, swigs from bottle and puts it back down. High 5's me (prentending to be the other player) and then picks up his ball, rubs it with his cloth (like they do!!) and bowls his skittles down!!!!

Now this is hilarious to watch and he loves it but as usual with my ASD obsessive hat on is this good or bad???!!!

[Marne]

Sound completely normal for an ASD child, dd1 (AS) does this too, she loves a game show on the tv called 'the cube', she will watch it over and over and then we all have to re-act it in the sitting room and cheer when she completes tasks.

I would say its a good thing as long as they don't become to obsessed with it, i tend to limit the time that dd can watch her program as she would happily watch it over and over all day.

[Barmymummy]

Yep he would watch it over and over if allowed but he is allowed to watch it (30 mins) once a day if he has been a good boy .

[moondog]

Very nice play skills.
I'd give him a fixed amonut of time to do it too if it risks getting out of hand.
A Timetimer would be perfect.

[mysonben]

Bless him! At least he is involving you in the activity, but i would put a limit on it too.

My DS isn't at the point where he does re-enacts his dvds although he will sit there obssessing over the same dvd (music and credits included) and will mumble the whole dialogue plus sounds effects as the dvd plays along.

[mysonben]

Actually it will be nice when DS eventually reach that point where he will ask and expect a bit more interacting like what you mention, instead of his annoying monologues iykwim?

[5inthebed]

I'd let it run, as long as he doesn't become too obsessed with it. Just start worrying when he starts aligning young children and trying to transfigure the dog into a ball . Very good imaginitive play from an ASD point of view.

[Barmymummy]

He has really good interaction with us which is fantastic and this copying role play stuff is by no means all he does. He loves to play 'friends' with me at night time tucked up in bed. He practices his social skills by playing through a teddy.

He likes to take the lead and act it all out but I throw in things that I know kids would say/do to see how he reacts etc. Works really well and he loves doing it. I have seen him use what he has learnt through that in the playground too, was dead chuffed at that!

The classic thing that made me titter all the way home from playschool was he asked me to sit down in the cafe while he made some lunch for me. He did the whole thing of choosing the food, cooking it in the microwave, straining it in the sieve using the tap etc etc and served it up. Then he says "so...how was your day? Tell me all about it!" Had to laugh at that one!!!

[5inthebed]

DS2 makes me laugh like that. When introduced to someone new, whatever the setting, he will say "You having a nice time?".

[Barmymummy]

gotta love 'em....they are lovely aren't they?!

[5inthebed]

They are. So predictable at times, yet come out with corkers.

[mysonben]

That is very good Barmymummy
Brilliant play! Well done to DS.

I wish DS would play like this, he will ...one day. But he is still fairly basic pushing vehicles back and forth, and quite limited imagination although he has made a 'tunnel' with a few books for his cars to go under 2 days ago, seems tunnels are a big hit with DS atm, because he will say "look a tunnel mummy" each time we drove under a foot brige or an over motorway bridge.

[Barmymummy]

Yep DS loves tunnels too!! And car park barriers....and railway crossings....among others

And yes you are right....one day he will, keep the faith

[Homsa]

I think you're doing exactly the right thing by introducing novelty into his play, and it's fantastic that he takes this in his stride. I'd only be worried if he wanted to always act out the same routine and resisted your input. Sounds like you're both doing brilliantly! :-)