# Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be a Sign of Autism? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-a-sign-of-autism Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Not pointing to show things can be one early sign worth watching, because shared-attention pointing is a key social-communication milestone usually emerging by around 15–18 months. On its own it does not mean autism — the overall pattern of gestures, eye contact and connection matters most. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. *When a little one doesn't yet point to share a discovery, it's natural to wonder — and noticing it early is a loving, sensible thing to do.* ## In short Yes — not pointing to show things (we call it **declarative pointing**, where a child points just to share something exciting, like "Look, a dog!") can be one early sign worth watching, because sharing attention is a key social-communication milestone. But on its own it does **not** mean a child has autism — many children simply point a little later. What matters is the *overall pattern* of how your child shares, gestures and connects. If you've noticed this alongside other things, a gentle developmental check brings clarity and peace of mind. ## Why pointing matters By around **12–15 months**, many children point to ask for something ("I want that"), and by around **15–18 months** they often point just to *share* interest — looking back at you to check you've seen it too. This shared-attention pointing is a building block of language and social connection. It tends to carry more meaning when seen together with other signs, such as: - Little response to their name by around 12 months - Few gestures like waving, clapping or showing toys - Limited back-and-forth eye contact or shared smiles - Not following your point when you say "Look over there!" - Slower-than-expected babbling or first words A single milestone arriving late is common and often resolves on its own. It's the *combination* of several signs, or a child losing skills they once had, that makes an early check especially worthwhile. ## When to seek a check If your child is around 18 months or older and rarely points to share, doesn't follow your point, and shows little of the gesturing and shared-attention play above, it's a good moment for a developmental review. Earlier support tends to help most — and just as often, a check simply reassures you that your child is taking their own healthy path. ## The Pinnacle way This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed **only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care**, never from an app or checklist. Our clinicians look at the whole picture of how your child communicates and connects, then shape support around their strengths. Learn how the [AbilityScore® assessment works](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), explore our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) programme, or start from our [home page](/) to find your nearest centre. ## Trusted sources CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone guidance on early gestures and shared attention; American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance (HealthyChildren.org); WHO ICD-11 framing of social-communication development. **Next step —** Noticed this in your child? [Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) for warm, clear answers. ## Sources - CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP HealthyChildren.org — toddler development: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/default.aspx - WHO ICD-11: https://icd.who.int/ ## Connected topics and perspectives - Behaviours: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/behaviours - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication - Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Recognise signs & concerns - Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be an Early Sign of a Developmental Concern?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-an-early-sign-of-a-developmental-concern - When should I worry about not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-my-child - Should I worry about not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old - Should a frontline worker refer a child not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-a-frontline-worker-refer-a-child-showing-not-pointing-to-show-things - Absent Pointing to Show: A Clinician's Signs Guide: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-developmental-conditions-can-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child-point-to - When should a doctor investigate not pointing to show things in a young child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-a-doctor-investigate-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child ### Explore causes & influences - What causes not pointing to show things in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children - Why a 1-Year-Old May Not Point to Show Things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old ### Explore therapy & support - Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development - What does it mean if my child doesn't point at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things - Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things - What makes not pointing to show things worse in a child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-makes-not-pointing-to-show-things-worse-in-a-child - What other behaviours often occur with Not Pointing To Show Things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-behaviours-often-occur-with-not-pointing-to-show-things - How can a teacher support a 1-year-old who isn't pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-1-year-old-who-shows-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-class - How therapy addresses a child not pointing to show things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-therapy-address-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child - How should a frontline worker respond to a child not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-frontline-worker-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child - How should a teacher respond to not pointing to show things in a young child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-teacher-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child - Therapy techniques for not pointing to show things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-techniques-help-a-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things ### At home & in everyday life - How to Help a Young Child Who Isn't Pointing to Show Things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-a-young-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things - How do I handle not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-handle-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old