I have a question for you: Doesn't he get to not like a kid? Not click? And isn't that just perfectly "normal"? Not autistic at all, I'd say. There are going to be kids he looks at and thinks, "Ew. I don't like her/him." And that's it. Right? I mean, I think the name thing is a cool discovery, a great tool, but ultimately, there are going to be times when you throw him in with another child and he finds out, quickly, that he has nothing in common with him or her, nothing to say. Is that always going to be a sign of his autism, or a potent of regression, for you? I think you probably have healing to do, alongside him. I know I will, ultimately, if and when we get to this place you're in now, where it's working...

The name thing is interesting. I think names are very important to Bam too. Proper introductions. He can be quite social, but ignores kids that just come up to him to play; Miss Manners would approve.

The other day, another boy his age came up to him at a restaurant and started stroking him. I found that rather odd; for once I couldn't blame him for completely ignoring another child.

I give him full permission to dislike other kids, but he really has to be aware of their existance first.