Does using index finger to point come after using hand?

[flaxseed]

I'm unclear about the pointing finger stuff. Someone in the play group was talking about it, about their child never having pointed properly - with a finger - which indicated to them some communication issues. I didn't know about this .

My DS is fourteen months and uses his arm and hand to constantly reach towards stuff. He is always looking back at me to register what it is he reaching/pointing towards.

How important is the index finger element? He seems to share attention easily, and make himself known. he has a few words. He is alert and friendly and warm. He isn't imaginative playing yet, but throwing things a lot and bashing but I think that's in line with his age group?

Going onto the internet to find out about these things is a scary business, so I thought I'd ask here.

Should I be concerned that he's not NT because he's not using his index finger?

Exactly what ds did - I didn't realise whole hand waving about counted as pointing to some people! He now delicately lays an index finger on pictures in books etc. I think it started around 16 months. I was worried but I spoke to hv and they said if they are making themselves clear in some way and able to move their fingers (eg picking up peas), then they will get it.

DS did exactly the same with his hand, but has just this week started using his finger to point things out in books etc, he is 15 months.

Thanks Allbrecht. That's made me feel a lot better. I'm ashamed to say I got myself in a tizz . I always thought he was doing really well reaching up saying, 'that,' and looking back at me, and then you find out the reaching 'isn't quite in the right way...'

When did you speak to the HV? Do you think I need to? My HV is such a waste of space

Thanks Beela!

Seeing her about something else. If she's useless I wouldn't bother.

Oh the whole pointing thing is not at all to do with how they physically do it, but whether they do it at all

He can do it with his feet as long as he understands the concept of pointing and can do it to communicate to you - I mean he'd look a bit odd, but it'd still count, lol

Thank you Tabulahrasa - that's really reassuring to know. I thought it had to be very specifically his finger

If he's 'pointing' at things he wants you to get him, or even better just to show you them and knows to look at what you're pointing at if you point - then he's got it, he just needs to refine what he's doing with his finger, lol

As you've already said he points out things he wants...If he looks at your finger when you point instead of looking to see what you're pointing at (looking for it is the important bit, he doesn't always need to find it, lol) that could be a little bit worrying, but not yet - he's bang on the middle of the normal age range for starting that