In the post “What Comes Last,” I noted Martin’s continued difficulties with socializing, especially in group situations, when he just doesn’t seem able to find an entrance.

We were at yet another bouncy-house birthday party last month. Adrian and I were alternating between snapping iPhone pictures and chatting with parents. The kids were running wild. Some were interacting, such as throwing sport balls at each other, on the various apparatuses. Others were jumping and sliding alone. Martin, of course, fell into the latter category.

—Until he bounded up to me, exclaimed, “Mommy, come play with me!”, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward one of the inflatables.

I went. It was the first time Martin had tried to pull me toward anything, ever.

To be clear: It was only me whom Martin tried to pull into a game, not another kid. Moreover, he hasn’t done so again since.

But it happened. As they say: It’s in there. Martin has the desire, and slowly the skill, to bring others to him. I that sometime in the next six months he will try the hand-pull move again, first with me and then, I hope, with other kids.

A blurry action shot: Adrian and Martin clowning at the birthday party. It’s blurry because I was standing in the same bouncy house.