Final answer:
Correct option is A. The early screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants often includes assessing eye contact and eye tracking, given the importance of social responsiveness in the diagnosis of ASD, which is associated with impaired social skills and repetitive motor behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
An early screening method to help identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infancy involves the assessment of eye contact and eye tracking. This assessment is critical since a characteristic symptom of ASD is impaired social skills, including difficulties in making and maintaining eye contact and reading social cues. Infants who show challenges in social responsiveness, such as reduced eye contact, might be referred for further evaluation of ASD.
Other symptoms of ASD that may prompt investigation include repetitive motor behaviors, strict adherence to certain rituals, and a preoccupation with specific subjects. Additionally, children with autism may exhibit impaired empathy and unusual language use. Since ASD is considered a spectrum disorder, symptoms and functioning levels can greatly vary among individuals.
The development of motor skills, which include fine motor skills like grasping and gross motor skills like balancing, is another area of observation during infancy. However, while these skills are monitored for typical development milestones, difficulties in these areas alone do not directly indicate autism but could signal a range of developmental concerns.