Messy play is an essential part of early childhood development. Activities like finger painting, sand play, mud, shaving cream, and slime help children build the skills they need for feeding, dressing, fine motor development, and play. They are some of the most important ways young children learn to tolerate sensory input and use their hands skillfully to engage with the world around them. For many children with autism, messy play is also one of the clearest windows into how