{"h1":"Signs your toddler may need support with nonverbal communication","faq":[{"a":"Most toddlers begin pointing to show or share something interesting between about 14 and 18 months. If pointing, along with eye contact and gestures, stays limited as the months pass, a gentle developmental screen is worthwhile.","q":"At what age should my toddler start pointing?"},{"a":"Not on its own — eye contact varies between children and across moods. It's more meaningful when several nonverbal signs appear together, or when the pattern isn't growing month by month. A screen helps you understand it clearly.","q":"Is limited eye contact always a concern?"},{"a":"Yes. Because hearing shapes all communication, a hearing check usually comes first. It's quick, common and very treatable if anything is found, and it helps everyone understand your child's development accurately.","q":"Should we check hearing first?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-nonverbal-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with nonverbal communication?","entity":{"key":"nonverbal-communication","kind":"skill","name":"nonverbal communication","slug":"nonverbal-communication"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent / Family","value":"parent"},{"kind":"age","label":"Toddler","value":"toddler"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Early Signs","value":"early_signs"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"},{"kind":"ability","label":"Non-Verbal","value":"non-verbal"},{"kind":"assessment","label":"Childhood Autism Rating Scale, 2nd ed.","value":"cars2"},{"kind":"language","label":"English","value":"en"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","value":"3"},{"kind":"skill","label":"nonverbal communication","value":"nonverbal-communication"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"ASHA / PHC / Frontline","value":"asha_phc"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor / Pediatrician","value":"doctor"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Therapist / Clinician","value":"therapist"}],"parent":{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-non-verbal","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with non verbal?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-social-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with social communication?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with communication?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-non-verbal-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with non verbal communication?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"could-difficulty-with-non-verbal-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay","title":"Could difficulty with non-verbal skills be a sign of developmental delay?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"could-difficulty-with-nonverbal-communication-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay","title":"Nonverbal Communication as an Early Sign of Developmental Delay"}],"summary":"Between 12 and 36 months, signs your toddler may need support with nonverbal communication include limited eye contact, not pointing to show or share, few gestures (waving, reaching up, nodding), little facial expression, and not following your point or gaze. These are signs to observe and gently note, not diagnose at home. A hearing check comes first, and a friendly developmental screen is the kind next step if several signs appear together or a pattern isn't growing.","answer_md":"*So much of what toddlers \"say\" comes long before words — through eyes, hands, gestures and shared joy.*\n\n## In short\nBetween 12 and 36 months, signs your toddler may need support with nonverbal communication include limited eye contact during play or feeding, not pointing to show or share things, few gestures (waving, reaching up, nodding, shaking head), little use of facial expression, and not following your point or gaze. These are signs to *observe and gently note*, not to diagnose at home. If you notice several together, or a pattern that isn't growing month by month, a friendly developmental screen is the kind next step.\n\n## Signs to watch (12–36 months)\nNonverbal communication is how your child connects before and alongside words — and it's a powerful early signal of social-communication development.\n\n**Eye contact and shared attention**\n- Rarely meets your eyes during play, feeding or cuddles\n- Doesn't look back and forth between you and an object (\"look at this, then look at you\")\n- Doesn't follow when you point or look towards something\n\n**Gestures and pointing**\n- Few or no gestures by 12–18 months — waving bye-bye, reaching up to be lifted, clapping\n- Not pointing to *show* you something interesting (around 14–18 months)\n- Doesn't shake or nod the head, or use \"give me\" / \"all done\" gestures\n\n**Facial expression and response**\n- Limited range of facial expressions, or expressions that don't match the moment\n- Doesn't turn or respond to their name by 12 months\n- Little shared smiling or showing-off to win your delight\n\nWhat moves this from ordinary variation towards a closer look is **several signs together**, a pattern that **isn't growing across months**, or a **step backwards** in skills your child once had.\n\n## When to seek a check\nNonverbal communication develops on a wide, healthy range — many toddlers simply take their own pace. A screen is worthwhile if gestures, pointing and eye contact stay limited as the months pass, or if you ever notice a loss of skills. A hearing check comes first, since hearing shapes all communication. Early, playful support never needs to wait for a label.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nAt [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/), we begin with what your child *can* do — building eye contact, gestures and shared joy through warm, play-based [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) and parent coaching. Learn more about [nonverbal communication](/nonverbal-communication) and how connection grows. A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care; nothing here is a diagnosis. Across 70+ centres in 4 states and 4.95 lakh+ families served, our aim is steady, strengths-first progress.\n\n## Trusted sources\nAligned with WHO ICF guidance on communication (d3), American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren.org milestone guidance, ASHA resources on early social communication, and CDC \"Learn the Signs\" milestones.\n\n**Next step —** if you'd like your toddler's communication understood with warmth, book a developmental screen with our clinical team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181, and let's understand your little one together.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-nonverbal-communication","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-nonverbal-communication","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"}],"meta_title":"Nonverbal Communication: Early Signs in Toddlers","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Name and model gestures all day — wave 'bye-bye', point to the dog, clap for a win — and pause, smiling, to give your toddler a moment to respond.","published_at":"2026-06-10T11:22:00.08181+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-non-verbal","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with non verbal?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"could-difficulty-with-nonverbal-communication-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay","title":"Nonverbal Communication as an Early Sign of Developmental Delay","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-non-verbal-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with non verbal communication?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"could-difficulty-with-non-verbal-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay","title":"Could difficulty with non-verbal skills be a sign of developmental delay?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-social-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with social communication?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with communication?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication","title":"At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication","title":"Is It Normal My Toddler Isn't Yet Using Nonverbal Communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication","title":"What if my toddler isn't yet showing nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-do-children-usually-nonverbal-communication","title":"Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication","title":"If a child isn't yet showing nonverbal communication","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-nonverbal-communication-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class","title":"Nonverbal communication milestones for teachers","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Recognise signs & concerns","total":15},{"key":"assess","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean","title":"What an amber zone for nonverbal communication means","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean","title":"What the green zone for nonverbal communication means","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean","title":"What a red zone for nonverbal communication means","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-nonverbal-communication","title":"Assessing and tracking nonverbal communication progress","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Understand assessment","total":4},{"key":"therapy","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-nonverbal-communication","title":"How can a teacher support a child working on nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-nonverbal-communication","title":"Therapy for nonverbal communication in toddlers","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next","title":"Amber Zone for Nonverbal Communication — What To Do Next","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next","title":"Green zone nonverbal communication — next steps","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next","title":"Red zone for nonverbal communication: what to do next","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-nonverbal-communication","title":"As a therapist, what techniques help a child develop nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-nonverbal-communication","title":"How a teacher can support a student learning nonverbal communication","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication","title":"How should a therapist prioritise a child in the amber zone for nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication","title":"How should a therapist prioritise a child in the green zone for nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication","title":"How should a therapist prioritise a child in the red zone for nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore therapy & support","total":10},{"key":"home","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-nonverbal-communication-at-home","title":"How can I help my child learn nonverbal communication at home?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-nonverbal-communication","title":"What is one Everyday Therapy activity for nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-nonverbal-communication-during-everyday-routines","title":"Helping Your Child Practise Nonverbal Communication at Home","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"At home & in everyday life","total":3}],"what_to_watch":"Limited eye contact, not pointing to show or share things, few gestures (waving, reaching up, nodding), little facial expression, and not following your point or gaze — especially several together or a pattern not growing month by month.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/browse11","code":"d3","label":"ICF d3"},{"url":"https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/international-classification-of-functioning-disability-and-health","code":"d3","label":"WHO ICF: communication (d3)"},{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC: Learn the Signs milestones"},{"url":"https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationdevelopment/","label":"ASHA: early communication development"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/default.aspx","label":"HealthyChildren.org: toddler development"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T11:22:00.08181+00:00","meta_description":"Worried about your toddler's gestures, pointing or eye contact? Gentle early signs of nonverbal communication needs at 12–36 months, and when to screen.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}