My DS had some hearing and speech issues until 12 months ago the op was when he was 4.5 and he is now almost 5.5. Socially he is painfully shy, he desperately wants friends but often struggles to actually make friends.
If I have a play date with just 2/4 kids he is very shy but does warm up after 30 mins or so and play nicely. I often have to drag him into it but he enjoys it once he is in. Will talk fondly after etc.
Anyway I joined a sports club and they offer a class for 5-7 year olds I brought him 4 times and it broke my heart. He just won't play with the other kids or partake in any games.... looks like a deer in the headlights.... but afterwards he says he enjoyed it.... he wants to go back. I just can't bear the thought of sending him back in when he looks so desperately lost.... the staff say he is chatty but won't play. I can't do it can I? They said it can take a few sessions for kids to warm up. As it is always different kids they say that doesn't help.