Did anyone’s DC start pointing (late) and then stop a week later?

[sha160528]

Hi,

I’ve posted a few posts on here in regards to concerns about my DD not pointing.

Less than a week after she turned 18 months she pointed and continued to point for about 5-6 days. However, she’s now gone back to reaching or an ‘open hand point’ and given the history with her pointing after 18 months I’m wondering if this is something I should be concerned about or if it’s just a part of the process?

She has started saying more than just a word at a time (I want cracker etc) so not sure if she’s focused more on talking than an index finger point.

Did anyone else’s DC do this or similar? I expected her to just consistently point now that she had learnt the skill.

I’ll admit I do have postpartum anxiety (which seems to have lasted longer than I thought) have been referred to get help for this.

Thanks

I have no idea when either of them started pointing. I wasn't aware of it as a developmental milestone I was meant to be looking out for. Her speech sounds good. I doubt not pointing consistently is really something to be concerned about.

I also didn't know pointing was a "thing".
I haven't a clue when my daughter started doing it.
Does it matter if a toddler doesn't point?

My little girl is the same age OP. I'm not sure when she started pointing consistently, I'd say probably 2 or 3 months ago.

But her speech isn't anywhere near your little ones yet! She says about 8 words clearly. Probably another 10 that I understand what she means, but nobody else would.

She's not saying more than one word together. If it makes you feel any better, I'm really not concerned.

Babies are all different and it really does no good to compare like this, unless there are major concerns (which it really doesn't sound like there are if her speech is that good).

For those asking, not pointing can be one of many milestones missed which can, taken together, be a sign of developmental delay. However, children all develop so differently and in varied ways, I really don’t think you need to be worried OP. This is your anxiety talking. You’re probably right that the talking is taking the front seat right now over non-verbal communication like pointing.

You've not seen the multiple posts from the OP about this then.

Hopefully the OP can get some help because these posts are weekly now

@BallerinaRadio I admitted that I’ve had anxiety. I feel as though I’ve got limited to no support from the health visitor and other professionals and don’t really have mum friends so hence why I come on here for advice.

I could have easily name changed however, I do take responsibility that the anxiety needs to be addressed but if you read online it does say pointing is a crucial milestone and delays/regressions should be noted

What is the circumstances where you think she would be pointing?
As I said I didn't know this was a particular development stage so apologies that I was wrong about that.
If she can use enough words to get what she needs it could be why she isn't pointing.
So if she wants a drink - instead of pointing at the fridge she would just say "I want drink" instead.
As I said I don't remember when my daughter starting pointing but she was an early talker.

@Needmorelego she was pointing a week ago to show which one of two things she wanted or what book she wanted off of the shelf etc.

if it’s something she can say she will say cracker, milk etc but if she can’t say it she’s started to do more of a reach/open hand point again as opposed to the index finger one she started doing last week

I also have no recollection of pointing - maybe there hasn’t been anything worth pointing at for a bit? I wouldn’t worry if they’re otherwise ok but maybe ask your GP for some advice if you are concerned?

Maybe she is holding her hand out ready to receive what she's after?
I'm not sure to be honest.

How is your daughter getting on now?

@Sammiew123 she’s doing well. She does point with her index finger but can shift between an open handed point and an index finger point

My eldest didn't really point at all. He did the open hand reaching/grasping thing, and when I mentioned it to the HV she said that's considered the same as pointing, so I didn't worry about it again. He also didn't wave until he was nearly 2, which in hindsight I spent a huge amount of time worrying about. But he's fine, no delays or anything.

My two never pointed - and DS1 didn't manage 2 word sentences until he was 2.

They're teens now, DS1 is dyspraxic, but DS2 isn't, they both talk pretty much continuously, and they still don't really point, or pay attention to me when I'm pointing ('mum, where's the remote', I point and say 'there', they don't even look at me and just ask 'where' - it frustrating, but I'm used to it by now)

I think it can be an indicator of something, but then it can also be that they just don't want to point!