My 12 yr old son is in yr 7 at secondary. While he was still at primary he had two good friends who we'd meet up regularly outside of school with these lovely boys and their Mum's. It's tricky now they're older. One of the other boys is also perhaps undiagnosed asd, the other boy is still 11 he's an August baby he's very sweet but very young for his age and his Mum doesn't want to let him out of her sight. Yesterday we were at the park. The three of mum's were watching over the boy's play. Huge groups of other children from their year were there, messing about and were picking on our three boys. I feel part of the teasing is because we mum's were there. I want to give my son a bit more independence but because of his asd I feel like I can't let him play alone with friends he lacks the social understanding and as he gets older it get's harder. A few days before I mentioned to my friends the possibility of dropping boys at the cinema, getting them seated and then we mum's go to a local cafe while the boy's watch film. Mum of 11 year old not happy with that suggestion. My son won't go alone. I need ideas of how I can keep him safe but increase independence.