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What makes not pointing to show things worse in a child?
Not pointing to show things can seem more pronounced when a child has fewer shared-attention moments, when communication becomes pressured rather than playful, or when an underlying hearing, vision or social-communication difference hasn't yet been understood. Warm, responsive, face-to-face play tends to bring the gesture back. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
When a little one stops sharing the world with a finger and a glance, it can feel worrying — but knowing what gets in the way helps you gently open that door again.
In short
Not pointing to show things — the lovely "look at that!" gesture most children develop around 12–18 months — can seem more pronounced when a child has fewer chances to share attention, when communication pressure replaces playful connection, or when an underlying difference in social communication, hearing or development hasn't yet been understood. It rarely "gets worse" on its own; rather, certain everyday conditions can make the gesture harder to emerge. The good news is that the same factors can be turned around with warm, shared, face-to-face play.
What can make it harder
- Few shared-attention moments — when most play is solo or on a screen, a child has little reason to point and share. Joint, face-to-face play invites pointing back.
- Reduced responsive back-and-forth — if a child points or looks and the moment passes unnoticed, the gesture isn't rewarded with connection, so it fades. Following their gaze and naming what they see brings it back.
- Pressure and quizzing — repeatedly asking "where's the dog? point to the dog!" can make a child withdraw. Communication grows through delight, not demand.
- Unaddressed hearing or vision differences — a child who can't easily hear or see what you're showing has less to point to. A hearing check is always worthwhile.
- An underlying difference in social communication — for some children, sharing attention through gesture is genuinely harder, and this benefits from a gentle developmental look rather than waiting.
Pointing to request ("I want that") often comes before pointing to show ("look, isn't that lovely!"). It's the showing-and-sharing kind that tells us most about a child's social communication.
When to seek a check
If your child is past about 18 months and rarely points to share things with you, doesn't follow your point, or isn't combining gestures with eye contact and sounds, a developmental check is reassuring and worthwhile. Early shared-attention support is gentle, playful and effective — and the earlier connection is nurtured, the easier it tends to be.
The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. Our therapists turn everyday play into joyful shared-attention moments through speech therapy and build you a plan rooted in your child's communication profile. You can start here to find your nearest centre across our 70+ locations.
Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone guidance on gestures and pointing; American Academy of Pediatrics family resources via HealthyChildren.org; WHO ICD-11 developmental framework.
Next step — Want to gently encourage your child to share their world with you? 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 if, past about 18 months, your child rarely points to share things, doesn't follow your point, or isn't combining gestures with eye contact and sounds.
In everyday life
Sit face-to-face and follow your child's gaze — when they look at something, point to it yourself and name it warmly, turning every glance into a shared 'look at that!' moment.
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
Does my child not pointing to show things mean autism?
Not on its own. Pointing to share is one of many social-communication milestones, and there are several reasons it may be slower to emerge — including fewer shared-play moments or a hearing difference. A developmental check helps understand the whole picture rather than jumping to any label.
At what age should a child point to show things?
Most children begin pointing to share interest around 12 to 18 months. Pointing to request something often appears a little earlier. If your child is past 18 months and rarely points to share with you, a gentle developmental check is worthwhile.
Can too much screen time affect pointing?
Screens replace the back-and-forth, face-to-face moments where pointing to share naturally grows. Swapping some screen time for joint, playful interaction gives your child more reasons and chances to point and connect.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC milestone guidance on gestures and pointing
- Organisation website · further readingAAP family resources (HealthyChildren.org)
- Organisation website · further readingWHO ICD-11 developmental framework
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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