HelP!! My son can, but won't interact with peers.

[Guest guest]

I need advice on how to get my My 4.9 y.o. son to interact with his

peers. He has been in an ABA program for 2.5 years. He is high

functioning and very verbal. He has been in a preschool setting since

he was 2.5 and appears to be very comfortable around peers.

However, at school and during play dates, he prefers to play by

himself. He will only interact if it is on his terms, and something he

wants to do (an activity that is usually very boring to the peer). The

more I or the peer prompt him to interact, the more resistant he gets.

If I prompt too much, he just leaves the room. Offering strong

reinforcers doesn't help.

Occasionally, if I set up and direct a really fun game, he will join in

and have fun, but only if he is in the right mood. At times I have been

able to get them doing something like coloring together, and then back

off, but that is the exception.

I just started doing RDI with him, which is going well. I am thinking

about dropping the whole play date thing until we get further into RDI,

as I am tired of entertaining 5-year-olds while my son plays in another

room. I don't see that the play dates are doing anyone any good.

Any suggestions?

Thanks