Interesting (and very easy to read) piece of research from NAS on why so many autisitc children like Thomas the tank engine

[moondog]

here

Moondog, you are very interesting.

I care for a child, after-schoolie, on the spectrum, and this has explained some things to me.

I love learning about speech from you too, fricative/palative production, totally engrossing

Hello Moondog

I'm nicking this for my Times Online blog (and crediting you and this board) - I hope that's ok. I was lurking on the JH thread but I don't think I can read anymore , so was having a more general read around and came across this, which is really fascinating. Give me a shout via the blog if you object!

Fascinating stuff. And the number of non-autistic boys who also develop an obsession with Thomas, presumably for similar reasons like the still scenery and sustained expressions, is also interesting. Is there an equivalent for girls, or do they not have the same needs in that way?

I remember reading something by a mother of an autistic boy (I wish I could remember who) saying that he liked Donald, not Douglas, which exasperated and baffled her as they are exactly the same.

I don't think it matters which gender the child is - my dd is 2.3 and pre diagnosis asd is obsessed with thomas too! (although if it was a contest between thomas ans shrek, I know shrek would win ) I get many strange looks when thomas and james are pulled out of my bag to be played with, but I have no objection to her playing with what are generally considered 'boys' toys

HTH all