My son has no friends

[Woriass]

I apologise for the long post.

I'm worried about my 11yo son. Recently moved to secondary and has no friends. Didn't really have any at primary despite inviting lots round and taking out for treats etc. My son was never invited back.

He has tried lots of group activities, scouts, karate, choir. But never stuck at any part froma writing club but doesn't really facilitate the making of friends.

He is trying so hard to be liked but becoming more despondent and angry when he sees others making plans but is being excluded. He is high functioning on the AS. And is finding life so hard. Just wondering if anyone has any advice.

I was exactly the same at secondary school, found the first year or two very tortuous and lonely. I was also painfully shy and very socially awkward. But in the third year, classes were mixed for different subjects and I "found my people". Can you maybe talk to the school to see if there's anything they can do to facilitate the mixing of classes / subjects in the hope that your son could meet more like minded kids? It's such a hard age, lots of change and new things to take on board. It may take time but hopefully things should improve. The School pastoral team should be experienced in dealing with things like this.

What about activities outside of school where he'd get the chance to mix with other kids? Or local support groups for other kids with high functioning ASD (and for you) to help him work on his social skills?