YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
My child doesn't show me things they like — should I worry?
"Showing" things you like is one sign of joint attention, usually emerging between about 9 and 18 months — but on its own it rarely tells the whole story. What matters most is the wider pattern of warm connection: eye contact, responding to their name, sharing for joy, and gestures. A check is wise when several social-communication signs are missing together. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
When your little one doesn't run over to show you their favourite toy, it can feel puzzling — but this single behaviour, on its own, rarely tells the whole story.
In short
"Showing" — when a child holds up a toy or points to a plane just to share their delight with you — is one lovely sign of social connection, and it usually blossoms between about 9 and 18 months. If your child doesn't do this yet, it is not automatically a cause for worry; many children share interest in their own way, and timing varies. What matters most is the bigger picture — does your child seek you out, make warm eye contact, respond to their name, and enjoy back-and-forth play? When several social-communication signs are absent together, a gentle developmental check is the wise, reassuring next step.
What "showing" really tells us
"Showing things you like" is a form of joint attention — the moment a child wants to share an experience with you, not just to get something they need. It is one thread in a wider weave of early social communication. Rather than focusing on this one behaviour alone, watch the whole pattern:
- Sharing for joy, not just need — does your child ever bring you a toy, point at something interesting, or look back at you to check you've noticed?
- Connection cues — warm eye contact, smiling back, responding to their name, enjoying peekaboo or to-and-fro games.
- Following your lead — looking where you point or turning towards what you're looking at.
- Gestures — waving, reaching up to be lifted, clapping, or pointing to request.
A child who connects warmly in several of these ways — but simply hasn't started "showing" yet — is often just moving at their own pace. It's when clusters of these signs are missing, or seem to fade, that a check becomes worthwhile.
When to seek a check
Consider a developmental check if, alongside not showing or sharing interests, you notice several of: little eye contact, not responding to their name by around 12 months, no pointing or waving by around 12–15 months, no single words by 16 months, or loss of skills your child once had. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, a check brings clarity and peace of mind, and early support is always gentle and strengths-based.
The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app, checklist or online form. Our clinicians build a precise, strengths-based profile through a structured clinician assessment, and where helpful, support for joint attention and connection is woven into speech therapy and play-based sessions. You can also explore more about early child development and how we walk beside families.
Trusted sources
American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance on early social milestones (HealthyChildren.org); CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." developmental milestones; ASHA guidance on early social communication and joint attention.
Next step — Want clarity and reassurance about your child's social connection? Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
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
Watch for a cluster of signs alongside not showing or sharing interests — little eye contact, not responding to their name by around 12 months, no pointing or waving by 12–15 months, no single words by 16 months, or loss of skills once had. A single missing behaviour is rarely the whole story; it's patterns that matter.
In everyday life
Make showing irresistible — get down to your child's level, point with delight at a bird, a bus or a bright toy, then look back at them with a big smile. Sharing wonder out loud invites them to share theirs back, no pressure needed.
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 do children start showing things they like?
"Showing" — holding up a toy or pointing to share delight with you — usually emerges between about 9 and 18 months. Timing varies from child to child, so a slightly later start, with warm connection in other ways, is often simply your child's own pace.
Is not showing things a sign of autism?
Not on its own. Sharing interest is one thread in social communication, and a single missing behaviour rarely means much. It's when several signs cluster together — little eye contact, not responding to their name, no pointing or words — that a developmental check brings useful clarity.
What can I do at home to encourage sharing?
Get down to your child's level and point with delight at interesting things, then look back at them with a smile to invite shared wonder. Narrate what you both notice, follow their interests, and play simple back-and-forth games like peekaboo — connection grows through joyful, low-pressure moments.
When should I book a developmental check?
Consider a check if, alongside not showing or sharing interests, you notice several other signs — little eye contact, no response to their name by 12 months, no pointing by 12–15 months, no single words by 16 months, or loss of skills. Trust your instincts; a check brings clarity and peace of mind.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — early social milestones
- Source referenceCDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. — developmental milestones
- Organisation website · further readingASHA — early social communication and joint attention
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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