Hi- 4yr old boy probs with social skills

[chummymummy]

Hi,
i am a mum of 3 with a concern regarding my pfb, posted this on main site and was directed to this forum- pls advise if you can...

My pfb is a lovely,well behaved little boy.

He has always been very polite and happy. If i have any concerns it is that he doesn't really like to talk or socialise with others very much. He would always rather play on his own or around other children but not really with them. He is very good at tasks,writing and numbers etc, but he seems to get panicky and withdrawn in groups.

On occasion he has told me that he 'switches his ears off' when he doesn't want to listen to people.When we are out and about he doesn't look around him very much, and tends to focus on something like a toy. Its like he is blocking everything out.

Although, i have had my concerns about him fitting in with others/ making friends, i realise that this is his personality. He is very focused on things that interest him, and cuts himself off from everything else. My mum says that i was exactly the same.

However, now his teacher has mentioned that he seems to lack a sense of urgency at school (when asked to do something like change into PE kit etc), and that some of the other teachers had questioned his ability to socialise with his peers. I am seeing her on Monday afternoon to discuss her concerns.

Does anybody have any experience of this? Could it be an SEN issue? Would be grateful for any feedback. I have never met a child like him, and would be happy to hear from anyone to whom this sounds familiar. Thanks

Have just been looking at:

Does your DC''s interaction skills differ depending on whether they have initiated the interaction? -Thread,

A lot of the behaviour patterns referred to sound like my boy (esp the kiss thing). He doesn't like being questioned about things and will always talk about places and things by description rather than name (e.g is ASDA as 'the green super letter shop').

Does anybody out there know what i am talking about?

As well as talking to the achool I would also ask your GP to refer your DS to a developmental paediatrician. What you write about him here does warrant further investigation. This person as well can eventually make a diagnosis.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the replies,

I am seeing his teacher tomorrow, and then i will make an appointment with his GP.

Sometimes i think that i am worrying myself about nothing, but i just can't shake this nagging feeling that i have had from day one.

I did look into ASD when he was 2yrs old, but i kept thinking that he was entitled to his personality, and that i wouldn't make an issue of it until it became a concern at school.

Will definately arm myself with info and head to the GP...