Parallel Play

A form of social interaction where individuals engage in separate activities alongside each other without direct interaction. Originally described in child development research by Mildred Parten in 1932, parallel play has been recognized in neurodivergent communities as a comfortable form of socializing that provides companionship without the demands of active engagement. For neurodivergent individuals, parallel play offers the benefits of social presence while reducing the cognitive load of sustained conversation or coordinated activity, making it an accessible form of connection.