Friendships

Jebz

Hi, my 16 year old Aspie son has always struggled with friendships due to the social struggles he has. He's now befriending younger children which is ok but he gets obsessive about them which isn't healthy and ultimately causes the friendship to end. I've explained to him how to have and keep a healthy friendship but he can't seem to understand what I mean. Any advice on how to help him understand? Thanks

Biblioklept

Oooh that's really hard, I know when I was your son's age I'd get quite obsessed with people, it's like they became my special interest and I'd be so desperate to make it work out that I would seem a bit weird and OTT With his age be careful with him befriending younger children, it's usually easier as they tend to like the same sort of things but it can lead to further isolation too!! I'm trying to think what my parents could have done to help me and I'm not sure, perhaps it's setting firmer boundaries around friendships and helping make other distractions so it's not possible for all his attention to be on these friendships?? 

Jebz

Thank you, really appreciate your response

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Jebz

Welcome to the community! How are you?

The National Autistic Society has a brilliant information page on Making Friends you may find helpful to read  

Jebz

Thank you, I will have a look