# Should I worry about not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited At 12 months, pointing to show things is only just emerging, so its absence alone is rarely a worry — the fuller picture of connection matters more: following your point, shared looks, babbling, gestures and responding to name. Pointing to share usually appears by 15–18 months, so if it hasn't by then, especially with other communication differences, a developmental check is wise. This is early opportunity, not a diagnosis. *Pointing to share a moment — "look at that!" — is one of those quiet milestones, and noticing it's not here yet is thoughtful, loving parenting.* ## In short Around the first birthday, pointing is just emerging, so many 12-month-olds aren't yet pointing to *show* you things — and that alone is rarely a worry. What matters most is the bigger picture of connection: shared looks, following your point, babbling back-and-forth, and responding to their name. By **15–18 months**, pointing to share interest usually appears, so if it hasn't — especially alongside other communication differences — a gentle developmental check is wise. This is about early opportunity, never a diagnosis. ## What to watch at 12–18 months Pointing comes in two flavours, and both matter. There's pointing to **request** ("I want that") and the lovelier one — pointing to **show or share** ("look, a doggy!"). Sharing pointing often arrives a little later, around 14–16 months. Around 12 months, look at the whole pattern of how your child connects: - **Following your point** — when you point across the room, do they look where you're pointing rather than at your finger? - **Shared attention** — do they look from a toy to your face and back, checking in with you? - **Communicating other ways** — reaching, showing objects, babbling with intent, gestures like waving or clapping. - **Responding to their name** and enjoying back-and-forth games like peekaboo. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye, especially nearing 18 months: no pointing or showing at all, not following others' points, little eye contact or shared smiling, very few gestures, not responding to their name, or losing a skill they once had. ## When to act At 12 months on its own, missing pointing is usually fine — keep modelling and watching. If by **15–18 months** pointing to share still hasn't appeared, or it travels with limited eye contact, few gestures, no response to name, or delayed babble, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. Trust your daily instinct — what you notice is valuable. ## 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 connects, gestures and shares attention, and shape playful support around it. Our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team helps grow gestures and early communication, and you can read more about [pointing to show things](/no-pointing-1y-pha-worry) and how we follow it. ## Trusted sources CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" guidance on gestures and shared attention in the second year; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) on social communication monitoring; ASHA guidance on early communication development. **Next step —** Trust what you've noticed. [Book a developmental check](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear look at your child's gestures and connection. This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - CDC — Developmental Milestones & Learn the Signs, Act Early: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP — HealthyChildren.org on early social communication: https://www.healthychildren.org - ASHA — Early communication development: 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 - Not Pointing at 18 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-18-month-old-does-not-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried - Not Pointing at 12 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-12-month-old-does-not-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried - Not Pointing at 15 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-15-month-old-does-not-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried - 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 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 - 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 - What causes not pointing to show things in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children ### Explore therapy & support - 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 - Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development - 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