Happy Birthday Thomas!!

Well apparently it is Thomas the Tank Engines Birthday today and it is also National Train day. It must be so busy on the Island of Sodor with a lot to celebrate.

It's so lovely that after all these years these engines still bring joy to all children around the world but they have also had a special place in the hearts of our children with Autism. I have constantly asked myself what it is about the Thomas and Friends and the link with Autism. I wondered if it was the faces, the stories, the music but I suppose it's a bit of all those factors. I have asked my son what it is he loves and never got a straight answer, and that's ok, he tends to just think I'm silly for not knowing. He finally gave me the answer I have been waiting for and he says....it is because he can go on the adventure of his life just like in the story.

How lovely is that? He can enter into a world where he feels safe, happy and where he can have fun. A world so different from this one but one that may be easier to engage with. I can understand that now and from his Autistic point of view that is just my Thomas. Of course he has to come away from Sodor and the engines and engage in the 'real' world shall we say but his comfort is there with the engines. 

He is fastly approaching his 18th birthday now and my natural instinct was to try and move him onto something that was more age appropriate but why should I? If this is his sanctuary and his 'happy' place then I'm not going to change it. It has fulfilled him and been the way to go for so many years that I always say 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

So a huge Happy Birthday to Thomas the Engine and if you are a big train fan then I hope you have had a great National Train Day. Toot Toot!!!

Thank you for reading today, join me tomorrow for Pass the Remote Sunday.....for now though......

​Take care.