CASPAR

He was small for his age. A mop of hair and big eyes. They stood around him, assessing his appearance, his attitude, him. He spoke in the staccato way autistic kids do. "I want a cuddle" he said unconvincingly.

Well, I don't know. Should he be wearing that outfit? Is he too small? Will he fit in with the other kids? There was only one way to find out.

Caspar walked in. His gait was awkward and he stood alone. One little boy coyly watched from a distance. This was different. A new kid on the block. William was also reticent to speak, always had been. Here was uniformity. Candid starkness, he liked that. Slowly William circled the newcomer.

The atmosphere was tense through the one way glass. They watched and they made notes. How would it go? Would there be screams and someone lying on the carpet convulsed in tears?

William reached out without emotion and put his arms around Caspar. No words were exchanged. After a moment or two William released his grip and ran over to a little girl, he tugged at her cardigan and pulled her over to Caspar. The introduction made, William and Caspar stood together.

"Well" said the analyst, "Amazing". William, the most uncooperative of the autistic group had never touched or spoken to anyone in the room before and yet here he was cuddling a robot.