Attachment behaviors in autistic children.

Researchers watched autistic children during a reunion with their caregiver. They counted how often the child touched, looked at, or talked to the adult.

The same kids also played with toys while the team noted any pretend or symbolic play. The goal was to see if attachment shows up in autism and if play skill matters.

Autistic children gave more hugs, smiles, and talk to their own caregiver than to a stranger. This shows clear attachment.

Kids who used more symbolic play—like pretending a block is a car—also showed stronger attachment behaviors.

Marcu et al. (2009) repeated the link 25 years later. They found that organized attachment, not just secure versus insecure, predicted better symbolic play.

Fullana et al. (2007) looked at younger toddlers and saw more disorganized, less secure attachment. The two studies seem opposite, but the 2007 group was younger and used stricter security rules. Together they show attachment in autism grows with age and skill.

Rutherford et al. (2007) tracked pretend play over time and found joint attention is the engine. Their work extends the 1984 finding: attachment may support play, but joint attention drives the growth.

You can reassure families that their autistic child does bond, especially if the child shows any pretend play. When you teach joint attention and symbolic play, you may also strengthen that bond. Start sessions with child-led play, imitate their actions, then add simple pretend steps and watch for more eye contact and closeness.