How do I help him stop this behavior?

[momof3tobe]

My ds is six years old and has a problem keeping his hands to himself. He doesn't hit or anything, but when he's talking to other kids he likes to put his hands on their shoulders or hold their hand. The other kids jerk away and say stuff like "quit it!" or "stop touching me" and he will for a while but then he forgets and does it again. I've told him that it makes the kids uncomfortable and that they don't like it and he understands that and says he'll stop but then he'll do it again. I tried to explain it to him this way: I said everyone is surrounded by an imaginary bubble and if you get too close to them you will pop their bubble and make them upset. He seemed to understand this analogy so when I'm around and I catch him putting his hands on another kid or getting real close to them I will say "jack you are in his bubble" and he immediately backs off. But I can't be there all the time, especially at school and I don't want him to have a hard time making friends. Any suggests? I've thought about calling the school guidance councilor and asking if she might be able to work with him a bit. What do you think?

[beachcomber]

I think that's a good idea. It can take kids a long time to internalize a behavior change. Keep going with the social stories and analogies and keep reinforcing appropriate behavior whenever you can. He will get there.