Abnormal social development

What it means

A substantial lag in the achievement of or divergence from typical milestones in social interaction and communication skills. Social-emotional competencies in young children include helping, sharing, comforting, and exhibiting empathy and compliance.

Social-emotional delays and behavioral problems at preschool age are associated with increased risk for negative outcomes at school age, including ongoing behavior problems, psychiatric disorders, and poorer academic achievement. The development of social-emotional competencies has important consequences for young children, including the ability to make and maintain quality friendships, and peer acceptance.

Part of the broader category