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What does it mean if my child doesn't point at things?
Pointing is an early communication milestone: most children point to request by 9–12 months and point to share interest by 12–16 months. If your child isn't pointing by 15–18 months, a gentle developmental check is wise — alongside eye contact, gestures and early words. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
When a baby points, they're not just reaching — they're saying 'look at this with me', and that shared moment is one of the earliest roots of language.
In short
Pointing is a powerful early communication milestone. Most children begin pointing to ask for things (around 9–12 months) and pointing to share interest — looking at something, then back at you, as if to say "do you see that too?" — by around 12–16 months. If your child isn't pointing by 15–18 months, it's worth a gentle developmental check — not because something is certainly wrong, but because early support, if needed, works best when it starts early. Many children simply develop at their own pace.
Why pointing matters
Pointing is one of the building blocks of communication because it shows your child can:
- Share attention — the back-and-forth of looking at an object and then at you (called joint attention) is the foundation of conversation.
- Communicate intentionally — using a gesture on purpose to affect what you do.
- Connect words to things — pointing usually appears just before first words and helps language take off.
There are two kinds worth noticing: pointing to request ("I want that") and pointing to show or share ("isn't this interesting?"). The sharing kind is especially meaningful — and its absence is one of several signs clinicians like to look at together, alongside eye contact, response to name, gestures like waving, and early sounds and words.
When to seek a check
Consider a developmental check if, by around 15–18 months, your child isn't pointing, waving or using other gestures; doesn't follow your point to look where you're directing; rarely makes eye contact or shares enjoyment; or isn't yet babbling or trying words. A single missing skill in isolation is rarely the whole picture — but a friendly check brings reassurance, and where support helps, an early start makes a real difference.
The Pinnacle way
Across Pinnacle Blooms Network, early communication is something we love to nurture — through play, shared attention and gentle gesture-building. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or checklist. Explore how our structured clinician assessment builds a precise picture of your child's communication, and how speech therapy gently grows gestures, words and connection.
Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestones for gestures and communication; American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance (HealthyChildren.org); ASHA guidance on early communication and social development.
Next step — Wondering about your child's pointing and early communication? 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
By around 15–18 months, watch for: not pointing, waving or using gestures; not following your point to look where you're directing; little eye contact or shared enjoyment; and not yet babbling or trying words. A single missing skill is rarely the whole picture, but a friendly check brings reassurance and, where helpful, an early start.
In everyday life
Make pointing playful: point at things together during walks and books — 'look, a dog!' — then pause and wait for your child to look and respond. Place a favourite toy just out of reach so reaching naturally grows into pointing, and always celebrate every gesture warmly.
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 should my child start pointing?
Most children begin pointing to ask for things around 9–12 months and pointing to share interest by about 12–16 months. If there's no pointing by 15–18 months, a gentle developmental check is a sensible, reassuring step.
Is not pointing always a sign of autism?
No. Not pointing is one of several things clinicians look at together — alongside eye contact, response to name, gestures and early sounds. Many children who don't point yet are simply developing at their own pace. A check helps understand the whole picture, not just one skill.
What can I do at home to encourage pointing?
Point at interesting things together during play, walks and books, then pause for your child to respond. Place favourite toys slightly out of reach so reaching grows into pointing, and warmly celebrate every gesture and sound.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC — Developmental Milestones (gestures & communication)
- Organisation website · further readingAAP — HealthyChildren.org family guidance
- Organisation website · further readingASHA — Early communication & social development
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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