My Son won't visit his friends

[AliOK30]

My 8YO son regularly has friends round to ours, however he always turns down invitations from his friends. They are all people we know well, and he has gone round in the past and enjoyed it, but recently he refuses to go. I'm good friends with one of the Mums but I'm worried she is starting to take offence as I keep having to make up excuses. Should I keep trying to persuade him? Or just be honest with her and say he doesn't want to go to anyone's house and it's not personal? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks

I don’t see the problem. Just like an adult he doesn’t have to visit someone if he doesn’t want to. Why do you want to push it? 8 is still quite young for some to go to a friends house without a parent. Maybe he’s not ready for that and that’s why he prefers his friends visiting him. Or maybe there is something about his friends houses that he doesn’t like. I really wouldn’t push it. Perhaps explain to the parent it’s not personal though and that he’s going through a phase.

Sounds a lot like me when i was his age.

I really liked home and being at home. I didn’t understand I was on the spectrum at 8 but i used to dread going to other peoples houses. They smelt funny, had different rules and they was never a way to escape when I needed to.

If he has his mates round home now that means hes much more comfortable at home then anywhere else. It’s not a problem, it’s actually really nice. He’s not going to be 8 forever and all to often he’ll grow and probably not shower enough.

Just be honest with people (and allowing him to would be best) to explain that he just prefers being at home. Make him confident about it would be great