How to develop social skills for 8 year old boy?

Question

My son is in second grade. We just got the report card and it looks like his social skills section is mostly 1's then 2's with one 3.

He is a kind boy without a mean bone in his body. He repeats himself until you respond and has poor social skills even though he is a joiner and loves to play in the park and at our house with his friends.

I don't know how to help him. Any advice?

We did have him tested for autism and aspergers and they said he didn't have it.

The rest of the report card was all 3 (passing grades)

He also has alot of trouble processing verbal instructions. You have to repeat yourself and explain things.

He had a horrible speech delay and everyone thought he had something like ppd when he was young.

Any ideas what you would do to help him?

Answer 1

Did he ever have a DNA test for Fragile X? Speech Delay, poor social skills, I'd consider ruling it out. Fragile X is a spectrum disorder which may result in anything from no symptoms, to mild learning disabilities, to severe cognitive impairment.

Practice does make perfect but will the practice create too much social anxiety for him?  Something to consider.

Could you involve him in activities outside of the home that might help him with social skills?  I'm thinking of a youth choir because it teaches one to project their voice, it's done in a group and often in performances there may be animated movements along with the singing. Anything else that might hold his interest and be on a team level might work as well.

I'd also look ask is this a result of anxiety, and if you think it's having a negative impact on the quality of his life would you consider looking for a medication (low dose) or supplement that would address this.

And, on another note, not everyone will be an extrovert and in all honesty one should not be marked down because they are.

Answer 2

some times i repeat myself because I think that people aren't listening to me are not paying any atteion to me what so ever cuz they don't respond...then they get angry at me cuz I'm repeating myself Ive rand over again......but then I tell them that u didn't respond so u can't get angry at me......!!!

Answer 3

Look into a screening for CAPD -central auditory processing disorder

Try role playing-pretend you are his peer- and prompt him how to react-

I am currently doing thsi with a 6 year old with autism (90% adaptive behavior/skills-amost indistinquishable)

there are professional social skills classes available