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Behaviours That Often Occur With Not Pointing To Show Things
Not pointing to show things often clusters with other early social-communication behaviours — limited eye contact, not following a point, fewer showing and giving gestures, less waving or clapping, and reduced response to name. A cluster is more meaningful than any single sign and warrants a friendly developmental check. 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 doesn't yet point to share a moment of delight, it's often part of a bigger picture of how they connect — and that picture is what gives us the clearest, kindest information.
In short
Not pointing to show things rarely travels alone. It tends to appear alongside other early social-communication behaviours — like limited eye contact, not following your point, not bringing you toys to share, or fewer back-and-forth gestures such as waving and reaching up to be lifted. Seeing a cluster of these together is far more meaningful than any single behaviour, and it's exactly the kind of pattern a developmental check is designed to understand. Most children who show one or two of these simply need a closer, caring look — not alarm.
Behaviours that often appear together
Pointing "to show" (called declarative pointing) is one thread in the wider fabric of joint attention — sharing focus on something with another person just for the joy of it. When it's slow to emerge, you may also notice:
- Not following another person's point or gaze — when you point at the aeroplane, your child doesn't look where you're pointing.
- Limited eye contact or not easily checking back to your face to share a reaction.
- Fewer showing and giving gestures — not bringing or holding up a toy to share it with you.
- Reduced gesture vocabulary — less waving "bye-bye", clapping, nodding, or reaching up to be picked up.
- Less response to their name being called.
- Quieter back-and-forth babble or fewer playful sound exchanges.
- Less pretend or imitation play as they grow into the second year.
These behaviours share a common root — the early skills of connecting, sharing and communicating intent — which is why they often cluster. A cluster simply tells us where a child may welcome a little extra support, most often through play-based communication therapy.
When to seek a check
Gentle observation is the right first step. Around 16–18 months and again near 24 months are natural moments to review social communication. If, by around 18 months, your child shows several of the behaviours above together, a friendly developmental check is wise — not because something is wrong, but because early, playful support works beautifully when started warmly and on time.
The Pinnacle way
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. Our team looks at the whole pattern of how your child connects, then builds a joyful, strengths-based plan. Explore how we support communication, understand the AbilityScore®, or start here.
Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone guidance on gestures and joint attention; American Academy of Pediatrics family resources (HealthyChildren.org); WHO ICD-11 developmental framework.
Next step — Curious about your child's communication pattern? Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch for several behaviours together by around 18 months: not following your point, limited eye contact, not bringing toys to share, fewer waves or claps, and less response to their name.
In everyday life
Make sharing playful — point at things you love, pause, and look back at your child's face with delight. Celebrate any gesture they offer, even a tiny reach or look, so connecting feels joyful.
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
Is not pointing on its own a sign of autism?
No single behaviour confirms anything. Pointing to show develops at different times for different children, and on its own it is not a diagnosis. What matters is whether several social-communication behaviours appear together over time — which is exactly what a developmental check looks at.
At what age should a child point to show things?
Many children begin pointing to share interest around 12–15 months. If your child isn't pointing or showing things by around 18 months, alongside other clustered behaviours, a friendly developmental review is a sensible step.
My child points to ask for things but not to share — does that matter?
Pointing to request ("I want that") and pointing to share ("look at this!") are slightly different skills. Sharing-type pointing is part of joint attention. If your child requests but rarely shares, it's worth mentioning at a developmental check, as it can be one thread in a wider pattern.
What can I do at home to encourage sharing and pointing?
Point at interesting things often, name them warmly, then look back at your child to share the moment. Follow their interests, celebrate every gesture, and keep exchanges playful. These small, repeated moments build the foundation for showing and pointing.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC milestone guidance on gestures and joint attention
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org family resources
- 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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