Hi marjie I too have a shy DS, who is 11, and have worried a lot about him in the past. He's always been this way, for instance, he would sit and happily play on his own in the corner at kids' parties as a toddler, would play alone at pre school and wasn't one of the kids who was often invited on loads of play dates etc. But he's happy the way he is, he has a small group of very close friends and enjoys solo activities like climbing, reading, cycling. He is currently playing football, but he's not into team sports per se.
Just recently we've started to encourage him to set himself tasks, like saying hello to someone new each day, or asking somebody a question in a shop, or at football, or in school. He finds it really hard, he says he doesn't know what to say, and gets embarrassed, but the more he does it, the more excited he gets about how it makes him feel, and the feedback he gets.
My big fear is that his shyness will come across as indifference, or ignorance, when he goes to high school and I want people to see and know him like we do, as the great, smart, sensitive, diligent and funny kid he is! By giving him more independence, he seems to be responding and developing his social skills. He'll never be a 'centre of attention' kid, but I think we can help him find his comfortable place. Hope your DS is feeling better tomorrow, extra hugs and a chat to his teachers can't hurt at all. Have a lovely Easter.