DS5 is extremely social and cares a great deal about having friends to play with. However, he is intense, tends to be too eager, and is frequently making noises or talking incessantly. I have seen kids avoid him or stop playing with him after a while, and he tends to amp up the energy when this happens, further exacerbating the problem. He indicated that he knows when kids don't want to play with him, but he tries to "lure them back".
I've been talking with DS about this recently, in (what I hope is) a gentle way. We talk about how loud noises, continuous talking, etc. can be overwhelming to others, and we've done a little bit of role playing so that he knows to just go and do his own thing when other kids seem to be avoiding him. We also bought "You Are a Social Detective" at the advice of a psychologist and discussed the importance of following expected social rules.
However, I feel like talking about the problem has only made him feel less confident socially. I think sometimes he can't stop the constant talking/noises (I know many of the parents on this forum can relate). Last time we went to a park with a group of kids, he hung back and told me that he didn't want to play. And when we went to a birthday party, he kept wanting to play with me instead of with the other kids.
I want him to be "himself", but I know that he craves friendship and is very hurt by friends turning away. I don't know how to help him, and I'm scared that this will really undermine his confidence in general. Anyone have the same experience and found ways to help their kids? Or did the problem just resolve itself with time?
