# What other behaviours often occur with Not Pointing To Show Things? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-behaviours-often-occur-with-not-pointing-to-show-things Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited 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. *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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate), understand [the AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), 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](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate). ## Sources - CDC milestone guidance on gestures and joint attention: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP HealthyChildren.org family resources: 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 - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Recognise signs & concerns - 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 - 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 - 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 - What makes not pointing to show things worse in a child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-makes-not-pointing-to-show-things-worse-in-a-child - Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-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 - 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