# When should I worry about not pointing to show things?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-my-child
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Most children begin pointing to share things between 12 and 18 months, and it's usually established by 18 months. Seek a developmental check if your child is around 16–18 months and still not pointing to share interest, especially alongside few words, little eye contact, not responding to their name, or not following your point. This is a reason to assess early — not a diagnosis — because early support works best.

*Pointing to share a discovery — "look at that!" — is one of the loveliest signs a child wants to connect with you, and noticing it is wonderful parenting.*

## In short
Most children begin **pointing to show or share things** (not just to ask for them) between **12 and 18 months**, and it's usually well established by **18 months**. The gentle line for a developmental check is when your child is **around 16–18 months and still not pointing to share interest** — especially if this comes alongside few words, little eye contact, not responding to their name, or not following your point. This isn't a diagnosis; it simply means a clinician's calm look is wise now, because early support works beautifully at this age.

## What to watch by 12–24 months
There are two kinds of pointing, and the one that matters most for social communication is *sharing* — pointing at a bird or a dog and then looking back at you to check you saw it too. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye include:

- **By ~16–18 months** — not yet pointing to show or share interest in things around them.
- **Not following your point** — when you point and say "look!", your child doesn't turn to see what you mean.
- **Few gestures overall** — not waving, clapping, showing or reaching up to be picked up.
- **Travelling with other differences** — few or no words, limited eye contact, not responding to their name, little shared smiling, or loss of a skill once had.

Many children who are simply taking their own pace catch up quickly — but pointing to share is such a useful window into communication that it's always worth a calm review rather than waiting.

## When to act
If your child is **18 months and not pointing to share**, or you notice pointing missing alongside any of the signs above, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. Trust your instinct — what you see in everyday play is valuable clinical information.

## The Pinnacle way
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 — never from an online list. With 25 million+ therapy sessions and 4.95 lakh+ families served, our clinicians build their own warm picture of how your child gestures, plays and connects. Our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team helps grow gestures and shared attention through play, and you can learn more about us at [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/).

## Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" developmental milestones (pointing to show by around 18 months); American Academy of Pediatrics guidance via healthychildren.org on gestures and social communication; ASHA resources on early communication development.

**Next step —** Trust what you've noticed. [Book a developmental assessment](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your child's gestures and milestones.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- CDC Learn the Signs, Act Early — developmental milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP healthychildren.org — gestures and social communication: https://www.healthychildren.org
- ASHA — early communication development: https://www.asha.org

## 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
- Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern
- 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
- 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
- Not Pointing at 18 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-18-month-old-does-not-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried
- 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
- Why does my child not point to show me things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/why-does-my-child-not-point-to-show-me-things
- 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
- 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
- What causes not pointing to show things in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children

### Explore therapy & support
- 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
- 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
- Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things
- 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
- 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