Child with autism struggling socially

[boredofhomework]

My nephew is in year 7. He has autism and struggles to communicate with his peers on a social level. He doesn't know how to read social cues so he doesn't have anyone to hang out with. This often presents as him being grumpy and moody and isolating himself further. It's a boys school and they can be unforgiving when they spot differences or weakness.

Academically he has always been quite able bit failed many of his end of year exams so my sister thinks this is having an impact.

Do you have a child in a similar position? What did you do to help the situation aside from extra curricular activities etc? He has tried all the clubs but doesn't seem to make a difference and local council ‘specialists’ arent interested in visiting more than once. He has a ECHP.

Appreciate any tips.
Thanks

Are school being proactive in putting on ‘clubs’ at lunch and break aimed at the kids with social communication issues but disguised as standard clubs so that he has somewhere to go and possibly also meet people who are similar to him and also isn’t alone and vulnerable?

Can he have a ‘job’ at lunchtime like sorting the library?

Does he have interests outside of school?

I should have mentioned, he has joined all the clubs that interest him at the time but he ends up hopping from one to another and not making any real connections.
He now only really hangs out in the library chatting to the librarian so that's isolating him further. It's very hard to hear because it would be lovely for him to have friends his own age x

As far as I'm aware, there aren't any clubs disguised specifically for kids who are struggling but there are lots of extra curricular options. The school are doing what they can but I'm not sure it's enough. He is very sporty and does all the sports clubs but the other boys just don't know how to take him I think. He doesn't understand nuance or sarcasm for example so it's easy for other kids to take the Mickey out of him and he thinks it's friendly banter. It makes him a target really x

Sounds like DN’s parents should request an early review of the EHCP. What support is in the EHCP currently? Any therapies such as SALT and OT? What support is the school providing?

The school could run a club for DC who struggle socially?

Is there a SEN youth group locally DN could join?

Have they had social care assessments? This could look at a PA to support DN.