In many cultures children tend to have imaginary friends. Not all children but many children. Now I don’t know if its cause I am autistic, I did not have just one imaginary friend, no I had two…at the same time… a set of twins.
These twins had no defining features or gender, they were just there all the time, and they were telepathic. So I could talk to them all day everyday and no one being wise to me having imaginary friends. The telepathy was a good thing cause they probably stuck around much longer then what would be considered “normal” by neurotypical standards.
I had mine right up till mid-teens and even then they didn’t entirely disappear. They flitted in and out for the longest time has if to check in on me like non imaginary friends do. Although a google search did reveal that it is normal for some children to have imaginary friends until their teens.
Study on how imaginary friends go beyond culture
How long do imaginary friends last?
More Info on imaginary friends for parents/caregivers
SelfdxAutie 
I just discovered your blog thanks to a citation on twitter. I hope to read and comment on your posts.
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