Hi, thanks for replying. He does do some of the things you've mentioned, which is interesting as none of these are mentioned in anything I've read.
He makes noises a lot of the time. Not so much constant talking but humming, squealing, singing but 'de de de' kind of songs rather than actual words, and clicking in the back of his throat. When playing a computer game he will keep up a constant monologue of what he's doing with lots of really loud 'Wow!'s. If he's on the computer and his brother is in the room doing homework he can't keep quiet even if you warn him he has to be quiet or he'll have to leave the room. He can be silent though, such as when watching TV.
He flaps his hands when he's excited or if there's a 'tense' bit in a film or show he's watching.
He fights sleep, though once he's asleep he will sleep through until 7.30-8ish. At the moment I'm sitting on the stairs while he's meant to be going to sleep, because if I do he'll be quiet and eventually go to sleep but if I don't he'd be straight out of bed or making noises etc. As it is, I can hear him fidgeting in the bed.
He likes to be around other children but doesn't always know how to interact with them. When I helped once in a group outing I noticed lots more shrieking than normal, as if he thought that would get their attention.
When at soft play or parks he will often gravitate towards much younger children. He's 8 but is often more happy to play with a 4 year old than other 8 year olds.
He gets easily emotional about things and will cry quite easily. If another child says something to him that he doesn't like he has been known to run away in tears.
He used to be quite fearful of things like climbing frames and either wouldn't attempt them or would get a couple of rungs up and then stop and scream for help. He is a lot better now but will sometimes claim he's 'stuck' on climbing equipment. If he fell over outside he used to just lie on the floor crying until someone went to him, but will usually get up now.
He doesn't always interpret people's words and actions correctly and will think they're being mean when they're honestly not.
He lies quite regularly and makes excuses to get him out of trouble. So if I catch him out of bed he might say 'I was worried my brother was going to hit me so I got up' even though his brother is fast asleep and I've caught him picking up a toy.
His attachment to me, I would say, is good. He was a little wary to begin with and if out and about would just go to anyone (in our wider family group if we were out with my SILs for example) if he'd hurt himself. Now though he always comes to me. He's happy to see me after school and at school events. He's staying with me long term and began calling me mum about 4 months ago. When we're out places sitting down he'll want to sit on my lap, or be cuddled right up to me and will often rub his head all over my arm.
He does have empathy, and is generally kind to animals although I have had to remind him a few times when out not to scare birds.
He is easily distracted when doing school work (which he finds hard) but he can focus on a task for a long time if it's something he enjoys.