He plays hockey three times a week, and he is a Sea Cadet -- so he is participating in outside activities. We love this kid so very much, and it hurts us to see him without friends. He also cannot stop moving his hands when talking to us -- he touches his nose, then his ears, then his chin, then his nose, etc. He's in constant movement when he is trying to carry on a conversation. What can I do to help him?
I suggest that you talk with the school counselor about a possible mediation between your son and his friend. The other children may have taken up teasing your son at his instigation and it might help that the friend knows how hurtful his actions are.
Ordinarily, I would say that what you are doing is sufficient and that with time he will find other friends. There was, however, a statement in your message that quite concerned me. You say that your son constantly touches his face at various points in a constant pattern. Has he always done this or did this start when his friend started teasing him?
I encourage you to take your son to a professional counselor or psychologist who specializes in children. If this pattern is recent, it may be due to stress and be a coping mechanism. If your son has done this for quite a while it may be indicative of a more serious issue that the counselor/psychologist can help alleviate.
Above all, continue to love and encourage him.