Speech delay and low eye contact: When parents should act

Delayed speech, reduced eye contact and social withdrawal do not always mean autism, but they should not be ignored. Experts say early screening and more human interaction can help parents identify concerns and support development.Too much screen time early in life may affect how kids learn and remember. (Image created using AI)A child saying their first words later than expected or avoiding eye contact may sometimes be part of their individual development. However, when several developmental concerns appear together, parents should not simply wait and hope that the child will eventually catch up. Speech delay, reduced eye contact, not responding to their name and withdrawing from social interaction can be signs that a child needs a closer developmental assessment.Importantly, these signs do not automatically mean that a child has autism or another developmental disorder. Children develop at different rates, and there can be several reasons for a delay. But identifying a concern early allows parents and doctors to understand what may be happening and provide the right support.Dr Preetha Joshi, Consultant, Neonatal, Pediatric and Cardiac Intensivist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, says parents should take such changes seriously instead of assuming that a child is simply taking longer to develop.SPEECH DELAY SHOULD NOT ALWAYS BE A WAIT AND WATCH SITUATIONSpeech and language development is an important part of a child's early years. Some children may begin speaking later than others, but parents should pay attention when delayed speech is accompanied by other changes in communication or social behaviour. For example, a child may rarely respond when their name is called, have limited eye contact, show little interest in interacting with others or struggle to communicate their needs. These signs deserve discussion with a paediatrician.According to Dr Joshi, developmental screening can help identify concerns early. The purpose is not to immediately label a child with a condition, but to understand whether their development is progressing as expected and whether additional evaluation or support is needed. Parents should also pay close attention if a child loses a skill they had previously developed. Losing previously acquired language, communication abilities, or social engagement is particularly important and should be discussed with a doctor promptly.REDUCED EYE CONTACT AND SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL CAN BE IMPORTANT CLUESEye contact is one part of how young children communicate and connect with caregivers. Similarly, social interaction develops through everyday activities such as playing, responding to expressions, sharing attention and communicating with family members.A child who consistently shows little interest in social interaction may need closer observation, particularly when this happens along with speech or communication difficulties.However, parents should avoid trying to diagnose their child based on a single behaviour. A developmental assessment considers the child's overall communication, behaviour, learning, social interaction and milestones.The important message for parents is to raise concerns early rather than waiting for months in the hope that the behaviour will disappear on its own.TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME CAN REPLACE IMPORTANT HUMAN INTERACTIONScreens can easily become part of a young child's daily routine, particularly when phones or tablets are used to keep children occupied during meals, travel or other busy periods. But simply removing a device may not be enough.Dr. Joshi says children need meaningful alternatives such as conversation, play, reading, singing and exploring their surroundings. These everyday interactions provide opportunities for children to develop language, social and cognitive skills.Keeping mealtimes and bedtime screen-free can be a practical starting point. Parents can replace screen use with reading a story, singing together, talking about the day or engaging in simple games.Outdoor play and activities that encourage children to interact with parents, siblings and other children can also help create more opportunities for communication.REPLACE SCREEN TIME WITH HUMAN INTERACTION TIMERather than focusing only on taking screens away, families can focus on what they are adding to the child's day.Dr Joshi recommends gradually reducing screen dependence and replacing it with what she describes as "human interaction time." This means giving children more opportunities to talk, play, explore and engage directly with caregivers.If screen use has become excessive or difficult to control, the family environment is an important part of changing the routine. The goal should be to make healthy habits a shared family practice rather than placing the entire responsibility on the child.Parents can begin with small changes, such as having meals without phones, keeping devices away during bedtime routines and setting aside dedicated periods for play and conversation.WHEN SHOULD PARENTS SPEAK TO A PAEDIATRICIAN?Parents should consider speaking to a paediatrician if they notice persistent concerns about speech, communication, eye contact or social interaction. The same applies if a child does not appear to respond to their name or shows a significant change in previously acquired skills.A doctor can assess the child's developmental milestones and decide whether further evaluation by a developmental specialist or another professional is appropriate.Early attention does not mean assuming the worst. Instead, it allows families to understand a child's needs sooner and access appropriate support when it can be most useful.The larger message for parents is simple: do not panic over one missed milestone, but do not ignore a pattern of developmental concerns either. More importantly, replacing passive screen time with meaningful human interaction can give young children more opportunities to communicate, learn and connect with the people around them.- EndsPublished By: Smarica PantPublished On: Aug 28, 2026 07:30 IST