# What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

If your child isn't pointing, observe their wider communication — joint attention, gestures, babble — and encourage pointing at home, while booking a simple developmental check. Pointing usually emerges between 9 and 14 months; a child not pointing by around 15–18 months, or who has lost the skill, is worth a friendly clinician check. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*Pointing is one of the earliest ways a child says "look at this with me" — and noticing it matters, gently and without panic.*

## In short
If your child isn't pointing yet, the most helpful thing is to **observe their full communication picture and book a simple developmental check** — not to worry alone. Pointing usually emerges between **9 and 14 months**: first reaching or pointing to *ask* for things, then the lovely "look at this!" point to *share* attention. A child who isn't pointing by around **15–18 months**, or who has stopped, is worth a friendly look from a clinician — often everything is fine, and where it isn't, early support works beautifully.

## What to watch and gently encourage
Pointing rarely stands alone — it's part of a bundle of early communication. Look at the whole picture:
- **Joint attention** — does your child follow your gaze or your point, and look back at you to share a moment?
- **Other gestures** — waving, reaching up to be lifted, showing or giving you objects, clapping, shaking head for "no".
- **Eye contact and shared smiles** during play and naming.
- **Sounds and babble** — back-and-forth "conversations", responding to their name.

Things you can do at home today:
- **Point a lot yourself** — to birds, lights, pictures in books — and name what you see warmly.
- **Place a favourite toy just out of reach** so reaching and pointing become useful.
- **Pause and wait** after asking "Where's the doggy?" — give your child time to gesture.
- **Celebrate every attempt** — a reach, a look, a sound — these are pointing's building blocks.

## When to seek a check
Consider a developmental check if your child is **around 15–18 months and not pointing**, isn't following your point, makes few gestures overall, isn't sharing attention with you, or has **lost** skills they once had. Pointing is one item on routine 18-month screening — it's a normal, sensible thing to look at, not a verdict.

## 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 [structured clinician assessment](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) builds a precise picture of your child's communication strengths, and where helpful a tailored plan is delivered through [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate). You're warmly welcome to [reach out and learn more](/).

## Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone guidance on gestures and pointing; American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance (HealthyChildren.org) on early communication; ASHA resources on early gestures and joint attention.

**Next step —** Not seeing pointing yet? [Book a gentle developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate).

## Sources
- CDC: Developmental milestones and early gestures: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: Early communication: https://www.healthychildren.org
- ASHA: Early gestures and joint attention: https://www.asha.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- 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
- Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment
- 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
- Not Pointing at 18 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-18-month-old-does-not-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried

### Explore therapy & support
- 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
- My child doesn't point at things — should I be worried?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried
- Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development

### At home & in everyday life
- Why does it matter that my child does not point?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-does-not-point-at-things-why-does-it-matter