# Is It Normal My Toddler Isn't Yet Using Nonverbal Communication?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Nonverbal communication — pointing, waving, showing and sharing looks — usually appears across the toddler years, with pointing by about 12–15 months and several gestures by 18 months. If your toddler isn't using these yet, a developmental check is wise now, especially if a pattern of missing gestures shows alongside limited eye contact or name response. This is a reason to assess early, not a diagnosis.

*If you're watching your toddler closely for the little gestures that say 'look at this!', that gentle attentiveness is exactly the right instinct.*

## In short
Nonverbal communication — pointing, waving, showing you things, shaking the head, reaching up to be lifted, sharing a look between a toy and your face — usually blossoms across the toddler years. Most children point to show interest by around 12–15 months and use several gestures by 18 months. If your child is not yet using these, it is worth a developmental check now — not because something is wrong, but because gestures are an early, powerful sign of communication, and early support works beautifully.

## What to watch (12–36 months)
Gestures often arrive *before* words and pave the way for them. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye:

- **No pointing or showing** by ~16–18 months — neither to ask for things nor to share something interesting.
- **Little eye contact or shared looking** between an object and your face.
- **No waving, nodding, head-shaking or reaching up** to be picked up by ~18 months.
- **Not responding to their name** or to your gestures (like waving bye-bye).
- **Any loss** of gestures or skills they clearly had before — this always deserves prompt review.

One missing skill is rarely a worry on its own; a pattern across several is the cue to have a friendly look together. Hearing should also be checked, since gestures and listening grow hand in hand.

## The science
Nonverbal communication sits in the ICF *communication* domain (d3). Pointing and shared attention predict later spoken language, which is why clinicians value gestures so highly during screening. Noticing early simply opens the door to early, play-based help.

## 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 build your child's own baseline and shape support around strengths. Learn more about [nonverbal communication](/nonverbal-communication), and if early gestures and words are the worry, our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team can begin gentle, playful support.

## Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestones and 'Learn the Signs, Act Early'; American Academy of Pediatrics guidance via healthychildren.org; WHO and the Nurturing Care framework on early childhood communication.

**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 clarity and a kind, strengths-first plan.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- ICF d3: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- CDC developmental milestones & Learn the Signs, Act Early: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP guidance for families (healthychildren.org): https://www.healthychildren.org
- WHO Nurturing Care framework: https://nurturing-care.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/skills
- Parent / Family: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Toddler: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity
- Non-Verbal: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/ability/non-verbal
- Childhood Autism Rating Scale, 2nd ed.: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/assessment/cars2
- English: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/language/en
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/sdg/3
- nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/skill/nonverbal-communication
- ASHA / PHC / Frontline: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/asha_phc
- Therapist / Clinician: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/therapist

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal
- What if my toddler isn't yet showing nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication
- What does it mean if my child is not yet showing nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal
- Is it normal that my child is not yet showing non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal-communication
- What signs suggest my child may need support with nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-nonverbal-communication
- Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-nonverbal-communication
- At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication
- Nonverbal Communication as an Early Sign of Developmental Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/could-difficulty-with-nonverbal-communication-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay
- If a child isn't yet showing nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication
- Nonverbal communication milestones for teachers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-nonverbal-communication-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class
- Observing Nonverbal Communication on a Home Visit: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/during-a-home-visit-what-should-a-frontline-worker-observe-about-a-child-learning-to-nonverbal-communication
- Nonverbal communication delay: when to escalate: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/if-a-child-cannot-nonverbal-communication-at-the-expected-age-when-should-a-frontline-health-worker-escalate

### Understand assessment
- What an amber zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- What the green zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- What a red zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- Assessing and tracking nonverbal communication progress: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-nonverbal-communication

### Explore therapy & support
- How can a teacher support a child working on nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-nonverbal-communication
- Therapy for nonverbal communication in toddlers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-nonverbal-communication
- Amber Zone for Nonverbal Communication — What To Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next
- Green zone nonverbal communication — next steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next
- Red zone for nonverbal communication: what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next
- As a therapist, what techniques help a child develop nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-nonverbal-communication
- How a teacher can support a student learning nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-nonverbal-communication
- How should a therapist prioritise a child in the amber zone for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication
- How should a therapist prioritise a child in the green zone for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication
- How should a therapist prioritise a child in the red zone for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication

### At home & in everyday life
- How can I help my child learn nonverbal communication at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-nonverbal-communication-at-home
- What is one Everyday Therapy activity for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-nonverbal-communication
- Helping Your Child Practise Nonverbal Communication at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-nonverbal-communication-during-everyday-routines