I've mentioned my buddy Russel before. He's 7 years old and autistic, and having a hard time adjusting to the changes happening in his life.

He likes my wife and I a lot. I think it's because we treat him like a person, rather than a problem to be solved, but it might just be because he can tell we're both wired differently too?

Anyway, recently he has become obsessed with toymaking (go figure) and has requested a 3D printer with which to make toys.

He wants to make molds, and cast copies. He wants to learn to make injection molds.

He's very in to the whole thing.

He has been drawing characters for us to mill out on our CNC machine, so we can make dozens of them in injection molded plastic.

He helps me run the injection molding machine, making sure to wear gloves and observe proper safety protocols.

It's all very very cute.

His mom is very creative. She teaches our pottery classes here at the makerspace, and does a lot of other creative work.

The other day, after he learned that an injection mold worked kind of like a hot glue gun, he went home and found some silicon molds they had left over from a previous craft project, and went to work.

His mom promised him a 3D printer if he goes to school for the rest of the year (He has a hard time in school, a combination of sensory overload and separation anxiety, but she teaches at the school now so that helps.)

I went ahead and ordered a monoprice mini select v2, because I've spent enough time with that model of printer to know it's strengths and limitations, and I think it'll be a good, minimally frustrating starting point for the kid.

We're going to turn the smallest room at the makerspace in to a little toy studio for him to start experimenting.

When his mom decides he's ready, they can take that printer home for him to use at home.

She's very excited, and I'm sure he will be too.