#FromParallelToPlay

[tulsiadepu]

He Plays Near Other Kids. But Never With Them.

“He Was Always Close To Other Children.

Sitting Beside Them. Moving Toys Around. But He Never Really Played With Them.”

At birthday parties, school events, park outings — Aarav was there.

He smiled.

He moved toys around.

He sat beside kids.

But he never:

Shared games

Took turns

Made eye contact

Responded when another child said, "Come play!"

“He looked like he was participating. But really, he was playing alone. In a crowd.”

🧠 Why Being Physically Close Doesn’t Mean Social Connection

At Pinnacle® Patna, developmental therapists explain:

“Many children on the autism spectrum demonstrate parallel play — where they play near other kids but without genuine social engagement. The mistake families make is assuming proximity equals connection. It doesn’t.”

Key signs:

Playing beside, but not with others

Lack of shared imaginative games

Ignoring peer invitations to play

Talking to themselves during group play

Preferring structured solo activities over unstructured group interaction

“If your child is physically there but socially missing — listen closely. They might be asking for help without words.”

📞 The Moment His Parents Stopped Hoping It Was "Just a Phase"

At his cousin’s birthday, during musical chairs:

All kids laughed, pulled chairs, shouted happily.

Aarav walked quietly around them, spinning a toy bus in his hands.

When they called him to join the game — he didn’t hear. When they guided him to sit — he walked away.

“That night, we realized: He was standing in a circle — but not part of it.”

They called 9100 181 181 immediately.

The counselor said:

“Let's not wait for connection to happen. Let’s build it — with understanding, not with pressure.”

They booked a free AbilityScore©® Social Screening.

📊 Aarav’s AbilityScore©® Social Engagement Report

Parallel Play Participation: 🟢 Green (900/1000)

Interactive Play Skills: 🔴 Red (440/1000)

Joint Attention Development: 🔴 Red

Peer Response Engagement: 🔴 Red

He wasn’t antisocial. He wasn’t unfriendly. He was socially disconnected — and needed a bridge back.

🤖 How TherapeuticAI©® Helped Him Step Into Real Play

His AI-personalized therapy plan included:

Turn-taking games (highly structured to build predictability)

“Give and Take” toy exchange sessions

Pretend play role-switching with guided facilitation

Story-based peer play modeling

Weekly zone tracking: Parallel → Shared → Cooperative play

By week 5:

Aarav passed a ball back and forth with a friend for 2 minutes

Joined a simple pretend game without scripting

Smiled when a peer called his name — and said, "Me too!"

“He didn’t just enter the circle. He stepped into the center of it — joyfully.”

💬 What His Parents Tell Every Family Now

“Don’t confuse being near with being connected. Presence is not participation. Look deeper. Because behind quiet smiles, some children are playing a lonely game — silently begging to be invited in.”

🌍 This Autism Awareness Month — Watch Who They're Really Playing With

If your child: ✅ Plays beside but not with peers ✅ Doesn’t take turns naturally ✅ Struggles with joint imaginative play ✅ Seems alone even in groups

…it’s time to screen for social engagement gaps — and give them the skills and space to truly join the world around them.

📞 Book Your Child’s Social Play Screening in Patna

📞 Call the Pinnacle® National Autism Helpline: 9100 181 181 🌐 www.Pinnacleblooms.org 📍 Patna | Gaya | Muzaffarpur | Darbhanga

✅ Free AbilityScore©® Social Interaction Report ✅ TherapeuticAI©® Play Participation Plan ✅ Hindi + English Therapists Available ✅ Parent Play Partnership Coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational and awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For expert guidance tailored to your child’s needs, please consult a qualified healthcare provider or contact the Pinnacle® National Autism Helpline at 9100 181 181.