Hello.
I have a 7 year old son who was diagnosed with ASD (in particular a social communication disorder) late 2019.
His school experience seems to have been ok but its becoming more apparent as he gets older that he is struggling to make friends in school.
I had a small hunch of this as i ask everyday after school how he day has been, and who he has played with. He most often responds with a "i dont want to talk about it". However today he told me whilst chatting "people dont want to play with me because they say i am annoying". He doesn't know what he does that might make others think he is 'annoying'. Cue a very broken hearted mum. I know he is a little awkward around people, from visits to the park etc but thought of him feeling so rejected at school is a real hard one.
My question goes to anyone else who has experienced similar, how have you dealt with it? Obviously noone can force a child to play with another.
My son has very little confidence in himself. He does plenty of clubs outside of school, swimming - performing arts - jiu-jitsu but i don't believe that he fully engages/invests himself but he does say he enjoys them. The clubs aren't long enough to really make a friend.
I wonder if we could find some specific activities or clubs where he could mix with like-minded/socially challenged children once a week. Is there such a thing?
Thanks in advance for any advice.