How to promote Social Skills?

My son is super smart, has all age appropriate self-help skills and functions like every other 5 year old, except that he won't talk to other kids. He talks to adults that he knows, he talks to his sister (2-1/2) and he talks to my neices. Other than that and some chatter when he is playing, he doesn't talk to other kids (including his classmates that he has known all year). Any suggestions?

Re: How to promote Social Skills?

have you tried playdates 1:1. it sounds like a comfort thing.

Re: How to promote Social Skills?

is it possible he doesn't talk to them because he is so much brighter than they are? he does well with adults? maybe because they understand what he is saying better than other kids his own age? have you ever tried putting him in with kids who are a couple of years older? will he talk to them?

just a thought.

Re: How to promote Social Skills?

I think 1 on 1 play dates with a little assistance from you or an older child would be helpfull. What is your son interested in? My 5.10yo is all about superheros and will talk about spiderman and the hulk in great detail. Is there a topic your son is entheaustic about? Try to set up a play date that supports his interest, it might help him open up.

Message edited 6/24/2009 12:07:15 PM.

Re: How to promote Social Skills?

My DS is 6 1/2 and he goes to a social skills group with a psychologist. He doesn't have an official diagnosis but he's quirky. He's also very intelligent and he does socialize, and it has increased as he's gotten older, but many of the things he likes to discuss about are more advanced so he doesn't "chat" much like the average kid. Where are you located? The dr. my DS sees does groups with kids your DS's age.

Def playdates too

Message edited 6/24/2009 11:19:13 AM.