5 year old struggling to make friends

[tad1977]

Hoping for some advice. My 5 year old boy has just started primary 2 and is still struggling to make friends. He is not stressed going to school and is coping well with the educational side of things but the social side seems to be a problem. He is an only child and I would say still a young 5, he doesn't like it when the kids at school play physical games and will back up if they come into his space. He always seems to be just on the edge of things when the other kids are playing at break times.
I am blaming myself as both my parents have died recently and I feel I have taken my eye off the ball when it come to encouraging him to socialise. If anyone has any ideas about how I could encourage him to form friendships or ideas about out of school activities that would be good for him. I'd really appreciate your thoughs.

Have the school raised any concerns?

Not since he first started in primary 1, teacher said that when playing he would ask her if he could join in with the other children rather than just playing. However, towards the end of the year at second parents night she was noticing an improvement and he was more willing to join in. The other kids seem to like him but he just seems indifferent or maybe unsure of them.

Sorry tad for disappearing. The reason I asked was/is because my ds2 is 4 and starting school in September. He's been diagnosed in May with high functioning autism. Part of this means his social skills aren't as refined as his peer group. Now he has been diagnosed (preschool initially picked it up) it means there should be lots of help for him. Academically he is very ahead, and he's a fantastic little boy who lives star wars (albeit obsessively).

You need to try inviting some other kids to your home for tea or to play....maybe as their Mum along too? Some Mums don't like younger ones going on playdates but some I know are fine.

I think he sounds young and cautious and that t's too early to worry about ASD. Maybe try helping him by giving him some phrases such as "can I play too?"

When my DD had a hard time joining in, her genius teacher instigated a week long thing where she taught them all traditional circle games and things like Oranges and Lemons and Farmer Wants a Wife...it meant they ALL joined in.