Little interest in play

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I guess it matters a lot. Playing is a way that the child learns about its culture and the norms of society (according to Lev Vygotsky), develop abstract thinking, learn to self-regulate as he plays according to the rules of the game, learns about social interaction and also is correlated with language development. Also the kid explores their environment in a safe and protected way. Even if play had no intrinsic cognitive value at all learning how to play would still be desirable just to have fun.
Autistics are impaired in play in several ways and their play behaviour is less elaborated, less diverse and more solitary. Research indicate that autistics show less "functional play" (that is playing with objects in the appropriate way) and pretend play than controls with typically developing children. First, play requires creating an imaginary situation (according to Lev Vygotsky) and that is an area of impairment in autistics. Second, problems in executive function might hindder the autistic child from playing as the child cannot plan the play activity and experience repeated frustration from not being able to play...
Structured environments might be required so that the autistic children learns how to play.

I am in total agreement with Wedge. I have done a lot of research, and apparently play is very important. I guess this is why I have concerns. I am hopeful that if we keep working with him, that it will develop.

I disagree. Like DW said some kids do not understand the purpose of games. Why throw a ball, why run around... MY son's gross motor skills teacher said that he can do all the things required but unless someone insists he will not do it. Same with toys, he will do it if teacher insists but not on his own. So then they put in IEP that he needs to play on his own "appropriately". Isn't that nice: you need to decide to play the way we want it because that is the proper way (1984, mind control).
As far as I am concerned, child has to learn to read/write/basic math (later of course) and basic social functions (say greetings, be moderately polite, know how to behave in public). If he likes to entertain himself staring at the wall, that is what it is, it is his free time. Yes, introduce him to games, see if he likes it, some sports are necessary for good health too but otherwise play should be playful i.e. free.

Hi Another One-
I agree with you in the fact that I don't think the child should be forced to play a certain way. My son is 4.5 and is in special needs pre-k. The teachers just introduce him to different things and try to get him interested. They don't force something if he is not interested. I think creative and imaginative play help to expand the child's higher level thinking. I just want my son to be able to learn how to do things to keep himself entertained, and as a child of 4 years old, it seems like playing is a good way to learn. However, if he does not want to play with action figures or legos, then we will find something else that he enjoys! As a baby, he was more interested in walking around holding a plastic cup instead of stacking blocks, but I kept working with him, showing him how fun it could be to stack blocks, and then one day out of the blue, he stacked up 17 blocks! I couldn't believe it. So, I guess what I am saying is that I just gently encourage things, and if it works, great, if not, oh well-----
I hope that makes sense!

Hi.

of course, nothing wrong in showing our kids all the games, plays etc. I am just trying to say that we should give them a little freedom, meaning if their play doesn't fit the norm it doesn't need to be downplayed and they should be allowed to have their own time. you do sound like a balanced parent so I think you give your kid his share of freedom, I am more venting about my own problems I guess.

Hi AnotherOne,
I agree with you, play should be fun, entertaining, and shouldn't be imposed from outside. That would ruin the very purpose of play. The only way play can be enjoyable is if it is voluntary as you said "free". I guess the whole discussion was complex. Maybe I was too much into that "intervention" literature... don't know for sure...

Hi Another One-
I think we are on the same page. My son is the same way. He can do many things with prompting and rewarding. It is frustrating that he won't do a lot of these things on his own. Our children work really hard at school, so I do think they should be able to play in their own way at home. I guess this is just going to be an ongoing struggle!

greetings wedge and angelbear. i think we all agree.