ASK PINNACLE · QUESTIONS, EXPLANATIONS & NEXT STEPS
Social
Explore explanations, everyday questions and next steps connected with social.
4,698 published answers · English · Page 57
CHOOSE THE QUESTION THAT MATTERS NOW
Explore this topic, one useful question at a time.
Signs & concerns
Causes & influences
The question links above are from this page. Topic groups can continue on later pages; the complete answer list and its pagination remain below.
Signs & concerns
When to Worry About Conduct Disorder in a 9–12-Month-Old
Conduct-Dissocial Disorder (ICD-11 6C91) cannot be identified in a 9-to-12-month-old — it describes a persistent pattern of rule- and rights-violating behaviour in children old enough to understand rules and intent, which a baby cannot. Biting, throwing and frustration at this age are normal exploration, not a disorder. What is appropriate now is to track everyday milestones and seek a general developmental check if any are missed. Only a Pinnacle clinician forms any assessment, never an online form.
Read the answer AnswerWhen Should I Worry About ODD in My 9–12-Month-Old?
Oppositional Defiant Disorder cannot and should not be identified at 9–12 months — it describes a pattern of deliberate defiance and argumentativeness that requires language and reasoning a baby hasn't developed, and is recognised only from around age 3. A strong-willed, protesting infant is showing healthy temperament. At this age, watch joyful milestones like babbling, responding to name and pointing instead, and raise any concerns at a routine developmental check. Only a Pinnacle clinician can assess — never an online form.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to Worry About Social Communication at 9–12 Months
At 9 to 12 months it is too early to label Social Communication Difficulties — this profile becomes meaningful only later. What is appropriate now is to gently watch the early building blocks of connection: eye contact, smiling back, responding to their name, shared attention, babbling and simple gestures. A consistent pattern of concern, or any loss of skills, deserves a calm word with your paediatrician — via a general developmental check, not a specific diagnosis. Only a Pinnacle clinician can assess.
Read the answer AnswerWhen Should I Worry About Conduct Disorder in My Newborn?
Conduct-Dissocial Disorder (ICD-11 6C91) cannot be identified in a newborn — it describes deliberate, repeated rule-violating behaviour that requires intent and social understanding a baby does not yet have. Crying, fussiness and strong temperament are normal newborn communication, not warning signs. In the first months, simply enjoy and observe expected milestones and attend routine well-baby checks. Any diagnosis is formed only at a Pinnacle centre under clinician care.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my newborn might have Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
Oppositional Defiant Disorder cannot be identified in a newborn — it is a pattern of defiant behaviour that only becomes meaningful once a child understands rules and choices, usually from the preschool years. A newborn's crying and fussing is communication, not defiance. At 0–3 months, watch warm signs of connection — feeding, settling, gaze, early smiles — and bring any worry to a routine developmental check, never a behaviour label.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should I worry that my newborn might have Social Communication Difficulties?
Social Communication Difficulties cannot be meaningfully identified in a newborn — social communication is a skill that emerges over the first year and is properly assessed much later, usually after age two. In the newborn weeks, simply enjoy the early building blocks: calming to your voice, brief eye contact, and the first social smile around 6–8 weeks. Seek a prompt paediatric check only for basic concerns like no response to sound or poor feeding. Any assessment is formed only at a Pinnacle centre under a clinician.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child avoid other children?
Children avoid other children for many ordinary reasons — cautious temperament, still-developing social and language skills, sensory overload, tiredness or unfamiliar settings. Usually it's a stage. Seek a gentle developmental check if avoidance is constant across settings and paired with limited eye contact, gestures or words, or genuine distress.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child do the same action over and over?
Repeating the same action is very common in young children — it helps them practise skills, feel calm and enjoy predictability. It usually needs a closer look only when it crowds out play, causes big distress at change, or appears with delays in talking, connecting or responding. A clinician at a Pinnacle centre can offer clarity.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child not copy actions or sounds?
Imitation is how young children learn to connect, and it develops step by step. A child may not copy actions or sounds yet because the skill is still emerging, because of hearing or attention factors, or sometimes because social-communication development needs a closer look. It is one signal to observe gently, not a diagnosis — a short developmental check is the simplest way to understand it.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child not do pretend play?
Pretend play usually begins around 18 months and grows through age 2–3. A delay can have ordinary causes — play preference, emerging language, or fewer chances to practise — but because pretend play depends on social and communication skills, no pretend play by age 2, especially with speech or social delays, is worth a gentle developmental check. Any diagnosis is formed only at a Pinnacle centre under clinician care.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child not point to show me things?
Children usually begin pointing to share things they find interesting between 12 and 16 months — a skill called joint attention. Many ordinary reasons explain a delay, but if a child isn't pointing to show by 16–18 months, doesn't follow your point, or loses skills, a general developmental check is wise. This is reassurance and observation, never a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child not wave or gesture?
Gestures like waving and pointing usually appear between 9 and 12 months and are early ways a child communicates before words. Not gesturing yet can be normal-range, a hearing issue, fewer chances to imitate, or sometimes an early communication sign. No babble or gesture by 12 months is a recognised reason for a gentle developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child prefer to play alone?
Most children who play alone are doing something healthy — building focus, imagination and confidence, and moving naturally through solo, parallel and shared play. It's only worth a closer look if a child seems unable to join others, ignores faces and names, or shows speech delays. A clinical AbilityScore and any diagnosis come only from a Pinnacle centre.
Read the answer AnswerWhy does my child spin objects or wheels?
Spinning wheels or objects is a common, often harmless play behaviour driven by fascination with movement and cause-and-effect, and sometimes by sensory comfort. It only warrants a closer look when it is intense, hard to interrupt, strongly preferred over varied play, and paired with other signs like limited pointing, reduced response to name or delayed speech. Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answerCauses & influences
Are boys more likely to have autism spectrum?
Autism is diagnosed about three to four times more often in boys than girls, so being a boy is a real statistical factor. But evidence shows autism in girls is frequently missed or recognised late because girls mask their differences. The signs matter more than the sex — any child showing them deserves a careful check.
Read the answer AnswerAre boys more likely to have Conduct-Dissocial Disorder?
Boys are diagnosed with Conduct-Dissocial Disorder (ICD-11 6C91) more often than girls — roughly two to four times as often in childhood — but girls develop it too, often showing it differently and being identified later. Sex is a population pattern, not a prediction for any one child; persistent, severe behaviour across settings is what warrants a developmental check, formed only by a Pinnacle clinician.
Read the answer AnswerAre boys more likely to have Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
ODD is identified somewhat more often in boys than girls in early childhood, but the gap narrows by adolescence — and girls may simply be under-recognised because their irritability and relational conflict look different. Sex is one small factor; the lasting pattern, persistence across settings and impact on daily life matter far more, and a clinical assessment is formed only at a Pinnacle centre under clinician care.
Read the answer AnswerAre boys more likely to have social communication difficulties?
Boys are identified with social communication difficulties more often than girls — roughly three to four to one — but girls are frequently recognised later because they mask or compensate. Sex statistics should never raise or lower concern about an individual child; what matters is your child's own pattern of communication. Any diagnosis is formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under clinician care.
Read the answer AnswerAre girls more likely to have Autism Spectrum?
Girls are not more likely to have autism — boys are diagnosed more often, historically three to four times as much. But autism in girls is frequently missed or diagnosed later because girls may mask their differences. What matters is the persistent pattern over time, recognised at a Pinnacle centre by qualified clinicians.
Read the answer AnswerAre girls more likely to have Conduct-Dissocial Disorder?
Conduct-Dissocial Disorder (ICD-11 6C91) is diagnosed more often in boys than girls, not the reverse. Girls can experience it too, sometimes with more relational rather than overtly aggressive behaviour, which means it can be under-recognised. What matters most is whether a behaviour pattern is persistent, across settings and causing real difficulty — that warrants a developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerAre girls more likely to have Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
Oppositional Defiant Disorder is identified slightly more often in boys than girls in early childhood, but the gap narrows by adolescence to near-equal rates. Girls' difficulties often look different — more arguing, irritability and relationship friction than open defiance — so they can be missed. What matters is the pattern, intensity and duration, not the child's sex.
Read the answer AnswerAre Girls More Likely to Have Social Communication Difficulties?
Girls are not less likely to have social communication difficulties in truth — they are more likely to be identified later or missed, because many girls camouflage their struggles by copying peers and staying quietly on the edge of groups. A quieter presentation is not the same as no difficulty, and persistent challenges deserve a clinician's look.
Read the answer AnswerHow does ADHD affect a child's social development?
ADHD can affect a child's social development through difficulty waiting, taking turns, reading social cues and managing big reactions — not because the child is unsocial, but because attention and impulse systems are still maturing. With behaviour therapy and supportive coaching, social skills grow strongly. Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerHow Attachment Difficulties Affect a Child's Social Development
Attachment is a child's first relationship and the template for all later social bonds. When attachment is difficult or insecure, it can affect trust, comfort-seeking, reading others, and play and friendships. These patterns are not fixed — warm, consistent, responsive care helps most children build stronger social foundations, and persistent difficulties are worth a developmental check.
Read the answer