I feel you Hive account@beautifulbullies! The early years can be so frustrating where you as the Parent KNOWS something is a little different but no one is willing to give you answers or even acknowledge the possibility. My story is very similar. My son did not play make-believe and was always very literal - he still is as a 9-year-old as well. I was concerned that he did not like cuddles when he was a toddler but he seemed to form relationships with his peers and Family so it did not worry me too much. We're all different! My son was talking at about 6 months old, verbal and baby sign language, and would sit and sort teensy tiny pieces of rice that I colored for sensory activities. Instead of playing with it and mixing colors the 12 month old sat there and organized the rice grains into separate colors- he's very particular about organization and things being 'just so' to this day. After behavior problems in school we received the diagnosis of depression and mild Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Doctor said he developed depression because of how the school treated him and that might go away with therapy. I would love to hear more about your experiences and if you have any advice for me! I have been told that ABA therapy is the thing to do. Do you have any thoughts on this?