Pretend play or Jealousy

I have a confusing thing happening. I have now three kittens and two toddlers. My 3 year old boy has global developmental delays, still testing for Autism. He loves our kittens and calls them all Yeow. In the last few weeks he has been trying to act like a kitten. When I feed them he wants to eat like them. On the floor beside them and gets mad if I dont let him. When he sees me petting them he will come to me and meow and want petted to. He has even brought me cat toys and wants me to throw for fetch, my cats wont fetch, He will sit there and wait for me to say fetch and good boy.

I know its a cat site but thinking some moms, or dads have some incite.  

Hi Louann. I'm not a mom or dad, but have had plenty of experience with young kids, and some that have developmental delays as well.

It sounds to me like your son is empathizing with your cat, not jealousy in the least.  It's very sweet behavior, and seems like he is forming a bond with the kittens in the way he knows best.  It is also a way for him to probably bond with you as well since sometimes physical interaction can be too stimulating for kids who are on the spectrum of Autism and other delays.  From my perspective, I think he's communicating with you and the cats, imitation being the sincerest form of flattery as the saying goes!

FYI, when I was young I used to pretend to be a dog a lot lol.  I just thought it was fun and I think it's the same as your son, he just isn't able to probably verbalize or explain it to you so it would appear confusing.

The only thing I would suggest is to find a way to get him to understand certain things aren't acceptable - like, he can't eat off the floor.  I'm not sure how one goes about this since I haven't had that experience. Hopefully you can find an explanation which will work.  

I'd take it as a positive sign, not one to worry over.  As long as he's being careful and loving to the cats (and humans too!) it shouldn't be cause of alarm.  In fact, the behavior just might pass after a few weeks. 

Thank you so much. He is not nonverbal at home but has limited vocabulary, Its more of an 18 month old. I have noticed since having them he is doing better in somethings. He is a very loving little boy and that is why they are having trouble diagnosing him.

If my floor is clean I will put a plate down about a foot away from the kittens for him with cherrios but lately when I give them their temptations treats he cries for some and wants to eat them.  I dont know how to  explain to him he cant eat them.