DS2 (6 1/2)has never really been interested in socialising with anyone, always chooses to play by himself in the playground. He was assessed last year for Aspergers but didn't quite fit the criteria at the time so I guess he's "borderline" ASD if that makes sense. He adores his older brother and they play well together (apart from the usual odd tantrum from DS2 about sharing etc) but he's never made any other friends. He's a very happy boy, enjoys school, and TBH I had kind of given up trying to help him make friends and just accepted that's the way he was.
However, we moved house (and school) during the holidays and DS2 has obviously seen DS1 making friends easily, getting invited on playdates etc and seems to have realised it's not happening to him. He just doesn't seem to "get" how to make friends - he said he'd like to invite a little girl from his class for a sleepover, but with gentle probing I realised he hasn't played with her, hasn't even really spoken to her. I tried to explain that he could start off by talking to her in class/playground, then if he likes her we could invite her round to play etc. He got very upset when I suggested she might not want to come for a sleepover when they haven't even played together at school, and when I said he ought to take it little by little. It just breaks my heart that he can't make friends (and now seems to want to) and I wonder if anyone knows of any books/stories that I could use to try to help him? I'm finding it quite hard to get to know the other mums too which isn't helping!! Sorry this is long!!