nonverbal communication
What if my toddler isn't yet showing nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication — pointing, waving, showing, shared looks — is how toddlers 'talk' before words. If your child isn't showing much yet, it isn't a diagnosis; it's a reason for an early developmental check. Between 12 and 24 months these gestures usually flourish, and when they're slow, gentle play-based support works well.
If your toddler isn't yet pointing, waving or sharing a look with you, your noticing is exactly the kind of gentle attention that helps most.
In short
Nonverbal communication — pointing, waving, showing you things, reaching up, sharing eye contact and facial expressions — is how toddlers "talk" before words arrive. If your child isn't showing much of this yet, it doesn't mean a diagnosis; it means a developmental check is wise now rather than later. Between 12 and 24 months these gestures usually blossom, and when they're slow to appear, early, playful support works beautifully.What to watch (12–36 months)
Gestures often come before spoken words and lay the foundation for them. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye include:- No pointing — not pointing to ask for something (by ~14–16 months) or to show you something interesting (by ~18 months).
- Few gestures — little waving "bye", reaching up to be lifted, shaking head, clapping or showing objects by 18 months.
- Limited shared looking — not following your gaze or point, or rarely checking your face to share a moment.
- Little response to name or to simple back-and-forth play like peek-a-boo.
- Any loss of a gesture they once used — this always deserves prompt review.
The point is never alarm — it's that early observation turns small differences into early opportunities.
The science
Gestures are part of the ICF domain of communication (d3) and are among the strongest, earliest predictors of later language. Toddlers who point and share attention are practising the social give-and-take that speech is built upon. That's why clinicians watch nonverbal communication closely — it tells us a great deal before first words.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® 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 developmental baseline and shape playful support around strengths. Learn more about nonverbal communication and how our speech therapy team nurtures gestures and shared attention as stepping stones to words.Trusted sources
WHO ICF framework on communication; CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" milestones; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on early communication and gestures.Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental check with a Pinnacle clinician so your child's communication is reviewed early, with clarity and care.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
By 18 months, seek a check if there's little pointing to ask or show, few gestures (waving, reaching up, clapping, showing objects), limited shared looking or following your point, little response to name or to peek-a-boo, or any loss of a gesture once used.
Try this at home
Make gestures playful and contagious — wave big at every goodbye, point at things you name on a walk, and pause expectantly so your toddler has a chance to point or reach back. Keep a short weekly note of new gestures to share with a clinician.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Is missing nonverbal communication a sign of autism?
Not on its own. Limited gestures can have many causes, including a simple developmental delay or a hearing concern. It is a reason for an early developmental check, not a diagnosis — only a qualified clinician can assess the full picture.
At what age should my toddler be pointing?
Most children point to ask for things by around 14–16 months and point to show you something interesting by about 18 months. If these aren't appearing by 18 months, a gentle developmental review is wise.
What can I do at home to encourage gestures?
Model gestures often — wave, clap, point and show things while naming them — then pause to give your child a turn. Reward any attempt warmly. Play-based, back-and-forth games like peek-a-boo build the shared attention that gestures grow from.