# What makes not pointing to show things worse in a child? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-makes-not-pointing-to-show-things-worse-in-a-child Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited 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. *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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) and build you a plan rooted in your child's [communication profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated). 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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate). This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - CDC milestone guidance on gestures and pointing: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP family resources (HealthyChildren.org): https://www.healthychildren.org - WHO ICD-11 developmental framework: https://icd.who.int ## 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 - Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy - Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment ## Related question paths ### Recognise signs & concerns - Why does my child not point to show me things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/why-does-my-child-not-point-to-show-me-things - 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 - 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 I worry about not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old - 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 - What causes not pointing to show things in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children - 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 ### Explore therapy & support - Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things - What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things - What does it mean if my child doesn't point at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things - 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 - Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development - 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