To think there's something wrong with DS.

[FindingSomeAnswers]

DS is 7...

He will not talk to other children. He will happily chat away to adults - to the point they want him to shut up! School have tried everything, he has been assessed by a speech therapist, an educational psychologist, psychiatrist, they've all told me he is normal.

He isn't.

He refuses to talk to any other children/play with any other children - he has no friends and doesn't want any either.

Advice?

I can see why you're concerned about your DS. It sounds like possible autistic spectrum to me too. Though I’m mildly surprised the educational psychologist didn’t pick anything up and I am even more surprised by the speech therapist. But as other posters have said these things can be a bit hit and miss and it might depend on what area you’re in, how the referral was made and even the individuals you saw.

We were referred by the GP to a developmental paediatritian through CAMHS first, then a clinical psychologist (because my DS had extremely challenging behaviour, it sounds as if your DS doesn’t, thank goodness!) and then the SALT. The paediatritian did a long and detailed assessment which included a long interview with me alone, and various tests and games and conversations with DS, and she had some fun with DS’s literal interpretation “can you tell me what time it is?” “yes” which she repeated later a couple of times with variations and the same answer until after a while she casually asked “what time is it?” and then DS looked at the clock and said “ten past one”

The speech and language therapist quickly picked up every one of my DS’s communication oddities which made him communicate much better with adults. (My DS has an Asperger's diagnosis.) Adults would communicate on DS’s terms whereas other kids wouldn’t. So the speech therapist let DS lead for a while and everything was lovely - taking turns, friendly, eye contact, the works - and then she turned the tables and took control of the conversation and he went silent and withdrew.

My DS went to chess club after school which he enjoyed but it was quite a bear garden(!) and DH had to go along to keep him calm and focussed.

Anyway, maybe you could see your GP (again?) and ask for a referral to a developmental paediatritian?

I never enjoyed the company of other children. I turned out fine!