What is an early sign of a potential developmental disorder in infants?

Lack of social engagement or eye contact is recognized as an early sign of potential developmental disorders in infants. This aspect of development is critical, as establishing social connections is fundamental for healthy emotional and cognitive growth. Infants typically begin to engage with their caregivers through eye contact and social smiles by around 2 to 3 months of age. If an infant consistently avoids making eye contact or shows little interest in interacting with others, it can be an indication of underlying developmental issues, such as autism spectrum disorder or other social communication challenges.

The other choices, while they may reflect concerns that could arise in a developing child, are not as specifically indicative of developmental disorders at an early stage. Poor weight gain could be related to a variety of issues, including feeding difficulties or medical conditions, but it does not directly assess social or communicative engagement. Inability to crawl is generally a concern as motor skills develop, but it usually appears later, and not crawling itself is not a definitive indicator of a developmental disorder. Excessive crying can indicate distress or discomfort, yet it is a common behavior in infants and can have many causes unrelated to social or communicative development. Thus, lack of social engagement or eye contact is the most telling sign when assessing potential developmental concerns early in