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When to be concerned about your child's social development
Most social-development differences reflect a child's own pace, but a developmental check is worth it when patterns persist over weeks — limited eye contact, not responding to their name, not sharing smiles or pointing, little imitation or play with others, or any loss of skills once gained. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
Every child is on their own social timeline — and knowing the gentle signposts helps you tell ordinary variation from a moment worth a closer look.
In short
Most differences in social development are simply part of your child's own pace. It's worth a developmental check when, over time, you notice your child consistently not making eye contact, not responding to their name, not sharing smiles or pointing to show you things, not playing alongside or imitating others, or losing social skills they once had. Trust your observations — a check brings clarity and reassurance, and early support is gentle and effective.
Gentle signposts by stage
Social development unfolds in steps. These are patterns over weeks, not single off-days:
- Around 6–9 months — limited smiling back at you, little interest in faces, or not turning towards familiar voices.
- Around 9–12 months — not responding to their name, little babble or back-and-forth gestures, not following your point or gaze.
- Around 12–18 months — not pointing to show you something interesting, limited shared eye contact, or not bringing toys to show.
- Around 18–24 months — little pretend or imitative play, limited interest in other children, or difficulty seeking comfort from you.
- Any age — a clear loss of social skills, smiles or words your child previously had warrants a prompt check.
None of these mean something is wrong — they simply mean it's a good moment to ask. Children who are otherwise warm, connected and progressing are usually following their own healthy timeline.
When to seek a check
Reach out if a pattern persists over several weeks, if more than one signpost above is present together, if your own instinct says something has shifted, or if your child has lost skills they once had. You never need a 'big enough' reason — a developmental check is meant to reassure as often as it is to guide.
The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app, a checklist or an online form. Our clinician-administered AbilityScore® assessment builds a precise, strengths-based picture of how your child connects and communicates. If support helps, our warm, play-based speech and language therapy nurtures social communication step by step. Start anytime from our home.
Trusted sources
WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) — interpersonal interactions and relationships (d7); American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) social-emotional milestone guidance; CDC developmental milestone resources.
Next step — If a pattern has you wondering, book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for clarity and a clear plan.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch for patterns over weeks: limited eye contact, not responding to their name, not sharing smiles or pointing to show you things, little imitation or play alongside other children, difficulty seeking comfort — and especially any loss of social skills once present.
In everyday life
Build social connection through tiny, joyful back-and-forth moments — peekaboo, copying your child's sounds, pausing during play to invite a smile or gesture. These shared exchanges are both the best practice and the best things to watch.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
Is it normal for my child to be shy or slow to warm up?
Yes — shyness and a slow-to-warm temperament are common, healthy variations. Concern is about persistent patterns over weeks, such as not responding to their name, not sharing smiles or pointing, or losing skills once present — not about a child simply being quiet or reserved.
At what age can social development reliably be assessed?
Meaningful social signposts emerge across the first two years — smiling back, responding to name, pointing to share, and early pretend play. A clinician can assess social communication at any age if you have concerns; there is no need to wait for a 'right' age.
What should I do if my child has lost social skills they once had?
A clear loss of social skills, smiles or words a child previously had always warrants a prompt developmental check. Reach out to a clinician without waiting — early review brings clarity and ensures any support begins promptly.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceWHO ICF — interpersonal interactions and relationships (d7)
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — social-emotional milestones
- Source referenceCDC — developmental milestone resources
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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