12.5 months- seems to be pointing but always at nothing in particular!?

[bakeacake]

My DS was a little on the late side with other gestures e.g. clapping. However, I have noticed him index finger pointing in the last week or so. Just wondered if it was normal that he is only really pointing at light fixtures or pictures (things he's seen a zillion times), instead of at his milk or toys (things he wants). Also, is it usual that he doesn't give me eye contact while pointing? I only ask as I have read that pointing is a sign of shared attention (I think) yet he is certainly not involving me in his pointing atm!!

My children, especially the boys were fasinated by odd things, and would point at or gaze at them studding them for ages.

Eye contact. Mine were not great at this when they were tiny, not with familiar faces like mine, their dad.

Don't worry about him,, enjoy him, and mention it to the HV next visit, to put your mind at rest.

Caroline

Ds3 is doing the same (he was 1 on 4 Jan). I am watching him hawk like as he is at high risk of an autistic spectrum disorder. I'm not worried about him yet..... I don't remember ds1 (severely autistic) pointing at all, so I figure its OK. Ds2 started pointing at just past 12 months, by 15 months he was communicating wonderfully with it.

Thank you both for your reassurance. I feel much better about it. Lets face it he's only just started the process so it's probably going to be a bit random atm!? He's pointed at a couple of new things this morning so I shall see how things develop!

My dd has only just started clapping - she's 14 months. She did other things earlier, like waving, so I'm not worried.