It is a total myth that kids with ASD can't be imaginative in their play. What I do notice with my DD is that she lines up her toys in a way that her NT older sister did not when she was the same age. They might both have played "tea party" with dolls/stuffed animals but younger DD has to have them lined up just so and will fuss if someone moves a toy out of line.

My daughter does pretend play and has autism

Thank You everyone. I keep falling off the fence then on. My baby plays pretend, talks well (now) is loving. He doesn't have meltdowns but has serious issues with pillows blankets underwear etc. if they are backwards. He lines food and books and toy cars up. He has specific chair and no one can use it or his blankets or pillow. He has sensory issues, maybe a bit OCD and delay diagnosis of autism. He doesn't flap his arms or nothing but will walk around purposefully saying words wrong or singing and dancing wiggles without them being on and perfectly. He sings some songs like amazingly fast. His social seems good but his everyday stuff is well, off.

After a lot of ABA, my son excels at pretend play. Before the ABA, it was non existent.

Yes.