All work and no play makes Mason a dull boy

Mason has worked hard. Really hard. For the past nearly 3 years, his days have been filled with hours of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, horse-riding, oral motor therapy, floortime, and lot of creative freetime. And anything else that sounded good at the time.

Never in the beginning did we see pretend play. Which I learned is a crucial part of a typical child's development. It was about 8 months ago when for the first time, Mason willingly picked up a stuffed animal.

What's the big deal w/a stuffed animal you ask?

Mason has struggled since infancy with some severe texture issues. Not just with food (thats a whole different post) but with anything that he touched.

To touch a stuffed animal would literally make him gag. To the point he would nearly vomit. Anything ultra soft, or even sticky triggered that reaction.

He hated animals, those full of flesh and blood, or those filled with cotton, polyester pellets, or any other form of artifical stuffing. In our household we have 3 cats that for the most part keep to themselves. Rarely does he acknowledge their existence, and frets a great deal when they violate his comfort zone. This comfort zone is a 3 foot radius. No entry permitted. Violators will be subject to shrieks and screaming.

So back to that day 8 months ago. Our older 2 kids were nowhere to be seen. In the playroom, we heard Mason talking to himself as he often does. I took a peek and didn't believe what I saw. I quickly motioned for Rashele to come look.

Laying there on a blanket, was Mason on his back. He was holding above him a stuffed lion. Talking to it, and mimicking it talking back. This was a breakthrough moment and huge milestone for all of us.

For Mason, because he initiated the touch and pretend play.

For us, because we knew we were going down the right path.