# Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be an Early Sign of a Developmental Concern? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-an-early-sign-of-a-developmental-concern Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited 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. *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®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) 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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) 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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) 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. ## Sources - CDC Learn the Signs, Act Early — developmental milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP HealthyChildren — early communication and joint attention: https://www.healthychildren.org - ASHA — early social communication and gestures: https://www.asha.org ## 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 - Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern - 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 - 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 - Why does my child not point to show me things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/why-does-my-child-not-point-to-show-me-things - 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 - My child doesn't point at things — should I be worried?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried - Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be a Sign of Autism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-a-sign-of-autism - 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