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Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be An Early Sign?
Pointing to show things — sharing interest by pointing and glancing back at you — is a key joint-attention milestone, usually appearing between 12 and 18 months. If your child isn't pointing to share by around 18 months, especially alongside differences in words, name-response or eye contact, a developmental check is wise. This is a reason to observe early, not a diagnosis — early support works beautifully at this age.
In this answer 5 sections
When your little one tugs your sleeve and points at the moon just to share the wonder with you — that small gesture carries a whole world of connection.
In short
Yes — pointing to show things (called declarative or joint-attention pointing) is one of the loveliest early communication milestones, usually blooming between 12 and 18 months. If your child isn't yet pointing to share interest by around 18 months, it's worth a gentle developmental check — not because something is wrong, but because this is exactly the age where a clinician's calm look turns small questions into early opportunities. This is a reason to observe, never a diagnosis.
What pointing tells us, and what to watch
There are two kinds of pointing, and the sharing kind matters most for early communication:
- Pointing to request ("I want that") — reaching or pointing to get something they need.
- Pointing to show ("Look, isn't that lovely!") — pointing at a dog, a plane or a light just to share the joy with you, then glancing back at your face to check you're sharing it too.
That glance-back is the heart of joint attention — your child connecting with you about something in the world. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye around 16–24 months include:
- No pointing to show or share by about 18 months.
- Not following your point — when you point, does your child look where you're pointing, or only at your finger?
- Travelling with other differences — few or no words, not responding to their name, little eye contact or shared smiling, or not bringing things to show you.
- Loss of a skill once had — any step backwards always deserves a prompt review.
Many toddlers communicate plenty in other ways — eye contact, gestures, babble, bringing you toys. Look at the whole picture of how your child connects, not one gesture alone.
When to act
If your child is not pointing to share by around 18 months, or it comes alongside differences in words, name-response or eye contact, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. Early support at this age works beautifully — and trusting what you notice every day is genuinely valuable clinical information.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians watch how your child shares attention, gestures and connects through play, and shape warm, playful support around their strengths. You can explore our speech therapy approach to early communication, and begin with us whenever you're ready.
Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" milestones note pointing to show interest around 18 months; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on joint attention and early communication; ASHA resources on early social communication and gestures.
Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your child's communication milestones.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Seek a check if your child isn't pointing to show or share interest by around 18 months, doesn't follow your point, or it travels with few words, little eye contact, no response to name, or loss of a skill. Look at the whole picture of how your child connects — not one gesture alone.
In everyday life
Make sharing playful: point at a dog or plane yourself, say "Look!", then pause and smile at your child. Notice whether they follow your point and glance back at your face — that little check-in is joint attention growing.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
At what age should my child point to show me things?
Pointing to share interest — pointing at something just to show you, then glancing back to check you're enjoying it too — usually appears between 12 and 18 months. If it isn't happening by around 18 months, a gentle developmental check is worth arranging.
My child points to ask for things but not to show. Does that matter?
It's worth noticing. Pointing to request ("I want that") and pointing to show ("Look, isn't that lovely!") are different. The sharing kind reflects joint attention — connecting with you about the world — and is especially valuable in early communication. If only requesting is present by around 18 months, mention it at a developmental check.
Is not pointing always a sign of autism?
No. Not pointing is one observation among many, and on its own it is never a diagnosis. Many children communicate well through eye contact, babble, gestures and bringing you toys. A clinician looks at the whole picture of how your child connects before drawing any conclusions.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC Learn the Signs, Act Early — developmental milestones
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren — early communication and joint attention
- Organisation website · further readingASHA — early social communication and gestures
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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