Playdates and siblings

[Anonymous]

I have a SN 7 yr old DD with weak social skills and a 4 yr old NT DS. DD goes to a SN school where her classmates are mostly boy s and also have relatively weak social skills.

When we host playdates, DD's classmates would much prefer to play with little brother. DD usually only wants to play with one or two things and her friend chooses instead to play woth stereotypically boy things with little brother.

I know that in the long term, Ineed to work to work on DD's social skills and flexibility, and we're working on it. But in the short term, how do i improve the dynamics? Not surprisingly, DS loves the attention from these older boys and isnt i terested in playing with me and leaving the big kids alone.

[Anonymous]

That's a challenging situation.

Can you plan a special activity for the kids? A craft project or a cooking project and present the invite as "Please come make pizza"? Or an outing someplace so that naturally all 3 will get along.

Could you invite a friend for each and divide them up? Big kids play here and little kids there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a SN 7 yr old DD with weak social skills and a 4 yr old NT DS. DD goes to a SN school where her classmates are mostly boy s and also have relatively weak social skills.

When we host playdates, DD's classmates would much prefer to play with little brother. DD usually only wants to play with one or two things and her friend chooses instead to play woth stereotypically boy things with little brother.

I know that in the long term, Ineed to work to work on DD's social skills and flexibility, and we're working on it. But in the short term, how do i improve the dynamics? Not surprisingly, DS loves the attention from these older boys and isnt i terested in playing with me and leaving the big kids alone.

Is there family who can take the NT DS or can you arrange for him to go to a friend's house? DD needs the time with her friend to improve her own social skills. View it as in-house therapy. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, My 8yr DD is in similar boat. Acquired brain injury (illness) 4 years ago, now delayed socially. At SN school, only girl in class. I would be happy to try a play date with our girls. Please email offline if interested. We're in NW DC.
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