# Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Some children who are slow to point to show things do catch up on their own, particularly when every other area of communication is developing well. Because pointing to share is a key social milestone, it is best gently observed and checked early — around 18 months if still absent — rather than simply waited out. 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 — will this simply sort itself out with time?* ## In short Many children who are a little slow to point **do catch up on their own**, especially when pointing is the only thing that's behind and everything else — eye contact, smiles, babble, understanding — is coming along nicely. But pointing to *show* things (sharing a bird, a balloon, a favourite toy just for the joy of sharing) is such an important social-communication milestone that it's best **observed gently and checked early** rather than simply waited out. Pointing to show usually emerges around 12–18 months; if it's still absent towards 18 months, a quick developmental check is wise — not because something is wrong, but because early support helps most. ## Will my child outgrow it? It depends on what's behind it: - **Often outgrown** — when a child is simply taking their own time, but is otherwise sharing attention with you: looking where you look, bringing you toys, babbling "to" you, enjoying back-and-forth play. Here, pointing tends to bloom a little later, all on its own. - **Worth a closer look** — when not-pointing comes *alongside* other things, such as limited eye contact, not responding to their name, few gestures (no waving or reaching-up), or not following your point. This pattern is less likely to resolve by simply waiting, and benefits from early guidance. The honest answer: pointing to share is one of the clearest early windows into how a child connects. Rather than guess whether your child will outgrow it, a brief check gives you a clear answer and peace of mind. ## When to seek a check A gentle developmental review is sensible if, by around **18 months**, your child does not point to show you interesting things, doesn't follow your point, uses very few gestures, or rarely shares enjoyment by looking from a toy to you and back. Pair this with how their words, play and responsiveness are coming along — the whole picture matters more than any single skill. ## The Pinnacle way This is general information, not a diagnosis — **Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care**, never from an app or checklist. A clinician-led look at your child's [communication and social milestones](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) tells apart simply needing more time from needing a little support, and our warm [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team can build playful sharing into everyday moments. Explore more on our [home page](/) to see how support is shaped around each child. ## Trusted sources WHO ICD-11 and developmental guidance; CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone resources, which note pointing to show emerging in the second year; American Academy of Pediatrics guidance via HealthyChildren.org on early gesture and joint attention. **Next step —** Want clarity instead of waiting and wondering? [Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate). ## Sources - CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP — HealthyChildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org - 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 - Why does my child not point to show me things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/why-does-my-child-not-point-to-show-me-things - 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 - 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 - 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 should I do if my child doesn't point at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-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 - 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 - 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