What I Wish More People Understood About Toys as the Parent of an Autistic Child

A young autistic boy had been asking his parents for a doctor kit. While “shopping” on Amazon, he added about 50 of them to our cart. During that week, he had therapy appointments, so Mama told him she’d take him to Walmart. He couldn’t wait to go shopping for a doctor kit.

This little boy is 10. In many ways, he’s wise beyond his years, but in others, he’s still a kid at heart. The day came to go to Walmart. The boy was so excited. He chattered nonstop about getting his doctor kit and playing vet with his dogs and stuffed animals. When he and his mama got to the toy section, he stopped. Suddenly he looked sullen and even scared. “Mama, you go first,” he whispered. There happened to be sales associates on every aisle, and this little boy seemed like he felt embarrassed. At this moment, his mom had an idea about what was wrong.

She walked ahead and pointed out doctor kits when she saw them. He finally chose which kit he wanted. (It was between an all-pink kit or one geared for toddlers.) The boy whispered his choice to his mama, seeming like he felt too embarrassed to reach out and touch them or look them over. He was too nervous to carry it up to the register. But as soon as the little boy got into the car, he was ripping it out of the bag and proudly showing it to his daddy.

The toy doctor kits were on just two aisles, the baby toy aisle and the all-pink “girl” aisle. Now this little boy might know his family doesn’t judge him for the toys he chooses, but sadly, he might also know that others in the world can at times.

You see, it doesn’t matter if he wants something pink, or blue, or 50 shades in between the two. It doesn’t matter if the suggested age is 3 to 6 years, or older. In his home, there is no age restriction or gender stereotypes.

Let me put a spin on Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s touching words… A toy is a toy is a toy is a toy. It shouldn’t be genderized or limited to age (except of course for small pieces and kids who might put them in their mouths). Why can’t more people grasp this? Kids are kids only once. Their childhoods should be happy and magical and free of useless judgment.

Editor’s note: This story has been published with permission from the author’s son.

Follow this journey on A Legion for Liam.

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Thinkstock image by danr13