Encouraging imaginary play in 5 yr old

[Lesley25]

My ds (dx asd) recently watched toy story with grandad who then spoilt him and got him buzz and woody.

My ds has never done imaginary play but i caught him today just holding both of them and babbling away - hes largely non verbal. I thought this was a great sign, but i'm not sure how to encourage it.
As per usual when i heard him i went running in saying "are you talking and playing with buzz and woody?" at which point he promptly ran away.

This is a good sign but how can i encourage it?

I don't know how to extend the play but I just wanted to say how brilliant it is that he did it !

Thanks autumnsmum!
I keep thinking, 'is that imaginary play? is he just holding them?" but there's obviously desire there to have both of him in his arms so its got to resonate somewhere on the imaginary play scale.
..Only the mums on here now the achievement of these milestones in an asd child, so thank you!

Thanks Polter- you're right, watching from the sidelines and it definitely looks like he's working a scene or something out.

Our portage worker would just sit down next to DS and start playing with the toys he was interested in (exclusively Thomas trains at the time). Ds would be acting out a scenario he had seen on tele, and when he had become used to her playing alongside him and sharing his interest, she would introduce a little deviation from the storyline, so Thomas would unexpectedly fall asleep or have a little conversation about something with another train (like whether it was raining - something really basic). I think she was trying to show DS that other things could happen and he didn't have to stick to the familiar narrative.

I have found that reading lots of stories to DS and also his interest in watching cbeebies programmes and films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo has actually helped him with his imaginary play because he takes elements out of everythiing he watches / hears and incorporates it into his play scenarios.

That is brilliant. Perhaps let him watch the film again with his toys and read him some toy story books. Play alongside if he lets you and act out some simple sequences like buzz flying. Copy some of his play and then extend it's a little and watch his reaction. Make it fun :-)