Hi, sorry couldn't think of a title for this thread! DS has recently started school, he's exhausted and taking a while to settle but nothing too unusual especially for his age. I've just been noticing recently a few things about the way he speaks with other kids and I'm not sure if its anything to worry about. It's mainly to do with repetition - if he doesn't get a 'proper' response, he just repeats himself over and over. eg.'Hello Jack'. No reply. 'Hello Jack'. Still no reply "Hello Jack' Getting louder and more persistent until he either gets a reply or someone intervenes. If I'm there I usually distract him but I'm not sure how long he'd go on for if I wasn't there! I've had anxieties about ASD in the past but they have been my own anxiety related thoughts and his preschool and all friends and family have had no concerns whatsoever, he's generally very sociable.
On the one hand I tell myself he's just aware of the art of conversation and thinks the other child should reply because thats what you do, so maybe he didn't hear me? But I have this nagging feeling that it shows a lack of empathy, that he doesn't gauge other peoples reactions, can't understand that maybe someone doesn't want to talk to him or that they're not in the mood or whatever.
I should probably say that this is pretty much the only concern I have about hims socially, he plays well with other children on play dates etc. and likes to be around people. But I do worry because he doesn't seem to have settled down with many friends at school and I hate to think that he will struggle socially.
Thanks in advance