arranging play dates?

[amunt]

Sorry if this is an odd or unanswerable question.

I would like to get some playdates for 7 yr old ds (ASD). He would love it, but does not have the social cache or skills to initiate one himself. Other children are mostly kind, but he does not have any friends. I think some playdates, which I would make a lot of fun for both, would help his self esteem and make him more visible to peers. The problem is that I don't know any of the other parents. I know them enough to smile at during drop off, but that's it. I suppose the answer would be to be more involved with school stuff, but I just haven't been able to, although hopefully I will soon. Any suggestions?Thanks

Have an informal chat with his teacher, ask him or her which children are friendly and sensitive and would be good to invite.

In any class there will be a number of children who would benefit from a playdate...teachers are often well aware of who doesn't go to many or any but would benefit.

My sister's little boy was struggling socially so she asked his teacher who to invite and she told my sister that there were 3 other children who were kind and who would like a playdate.

My sister invited them all over the course of that term and my nephew did click well with one child and they now have regular playdates.

Thanks AjasLipstick. That sounds like a good way forward.

Hi - I do something similar and ask the teacher/TA who my son is asking to play with at school (he asks children to join his social skills sessions) and who may be a good match. I then just message the parents. Sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn’t. The parents have tended to be much more welcoming and nicer than I ever expected (they all know my son has SN as he has 1: 1). I also grit my teeth and then up to as many of the parents events (drinks etc) as I can - I work so am never in the playground. Good luck!!

Sausagepickle123, Sounds good. I haven't wanted to message parents in case they feel obliged but would rather not, but think I'll give it a go. I know what you mean about gritting your teeth - I've pretty much avoided the parents events till now, but will have to bite the bullet for the greater cause .