Not pointing- is that really a problem?

[amberj]

When I had the 12 month check up with the MCHN, she asked if DS was pointing and I said no. He also wasn't clapping or waving at that stage, but he's started those since.

She said if he wasn't pointing by 15 months, we needed to come back. He's almost 14 months now and no signs of pointing.

In every other way he is a bright, responsive, active child who's development seems completely normal. I would be absolutely shocked to learn there was anything delayed about him or that he had any kind of condition.

So what is the big deal with pointing? Is it an indicator of anything else? Or is Peter just going along on his own path?

[shellbell3]

I wouldn't be so worried yet, from what I understand pointing is to do with communication. When my nephew started speech therapy first thing they worked on was the pointing so they'd give him 2 options, hold them up and get him to try point to one.
A friend of mine also has a 15 month old thats not pointing, don't think its much of a concern yet.

[~clover~]

I think if everything else is normal, so is he
There's still a good few weeks to go. He'll be fine

[christy]

I wouldn't worry too much hun, it is a developmental marker for a few things. If he is going well otherwise and you aren't worried about anything else I wouldn't worry too much.

We've been recently been going through assessments and diagnosis for Autism with DD1 and one of the questions that keeps popping up is "When did xxx first start pointing?" so it must be a developmental thing...

[Marlene]

Just want to put your mind at ease a bit...Jack has only just started pointing in the last week. There other things he has done way before other kids his age, but pointing wasn't one of them. He is almost 15 months.

[feeb]

DS has not done things as per the book!!!

he doesnt point or wave but he does clap.

He doesnt get himself to a sit from his tummy, he only comando crawls (we have floor boards and apparantly common as hurts knees) but he gets places fast!!

he does not pull up to a stand and does not cruise furniture.

But MCHN was happy that he was sociable, chatty and interactive.

Relax

[amberj]

Thanks all.

I should be banned from googling these things. There is so much scary information out there!

I think I will trust my mummy instinct for now, which says that he is just fine.

[Erin_25]

I wouldn't worry too much, each in their own time to a certain extent. Though it's not a milestone I had really worried or thought about....& my DS 2yrs & 4months points with the rude finger, hmmmm he's been doing it for some time now wonder if I should be worried.

[Lolli]

Just wanted to add,my ds didn't start pointing till he was 18 months. Noone asked me about, so i wasn't worried about it... mchn seemed tp be more concernced about him clapping....

[Powelly]

Hey Amberj! My twin!

Josh has pointed about 5 times and only just started doing it. My nurse lady freaked me out too saying if he didn't start by the time he was 15 months to go and get him checked. He does "hands on head", claps and has the most amazing pincer grip. They all do things in their own time. I find the nurses who have the biggest problems with developmental things DON'T have kids. Sometimes we have to remember that kids are all different and some do things earlier and some later than what the "textbooks" say! Try not to worry.