The authors advise early intervention for children who have ICs with associated risk factors for DID. Research has found that children with ICs in normative samples most often have an average of one to two ICs each; however, preliminary research has found that children with DID tend to have an average of 6.5 ICs each. Both normative and DID children apparently create ICs in order to cope with developmental tasks and life pressures. Given the high prevalence of trauma experienced in DID individuals, such children may experience a greater variety of stresses and challenges that require more coping resources. This includes the creation of a greater number of ICs. Children who develop DID have a history of holding onto ICs for longer than most children, for whom ICs are typically temporary during early childhood. DID children report vivid ICs, and they are inconsistent in identifying them as "pretend" playmates. Whereas the ICs created by normal children are under the child's control, a sample of DID boys reported instances in which ICs had wills of their own. Normal children typically create IC's to fulfill specific functions, usually as "playmates," but the ICs of DID children tend to function in multiple roles, which may include bearing abuse or pain and serving as keepers of secrets; ICs as powerful protectors are also more common in DID children. Preliminary research with DID boys has found that their ICs sometimes act against the child's wishes and interests. 2 tables, 90 references, and suggestions for further research