How to teach stranger danger?

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone, I am new to the list. My youngest, who is almost 6, was recently diagnosed with Asperger and ADHD. I have hit something that I am at a loss on how to deal with. My family was at the book store over the weekend. Liam, my youngest went with his sister to the kids book section about 10 feet away. Only about 4 or 5 minutes passed before I went to see if Liam had gone to the train table that he always plays with. He wasn't there. An employee and I finally found him walking back in the front door of the store. (The front door opens to a mall) When I told him that he had scared me and asked him what he was doing he said that he had made friends and wanted to go with them. He felt that since the had introduced themselves that they were no longer strangers and he wanted to follow them. Of course I tried to explain how dangerous that was and how someone could take him, he would not see

his family again, they could be bad people.. etc.. etc. He insists they were nice and had a reason why he felt that way for everything I said. It didn't seem to sink in at all. As we were checking out he was about 2 feet away standing near the back door walking in circles saying, "Don't talk to strangers" over and over and then proceeded to try to just leave out the back door. We stopped him and restated our position. How do I help him understand that not everyone is a "friend". Why would this be happening now when it has never been a problem before? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Jen

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