How important is pointing with hand not finger at 15 months?

[Noheroicsplease]

I read that not using index finger to point can suggest possible autism. My 15 month old dd points at lots, follows our point, shows me stuff and has about 6 understandable words. She likes lots of interaction and playing back and forth games like passing ball. Sometimes it looks like her index finger is slightly separate but hand isn't closed.

Is it about refinement of this gesture or should I be worried?

Thanks

I have not heard of this. I am not a world expert but I do work in the field.

You cannot rule out autism in a child of this age but it is very unusual to get a diagnosis in a child under 2 unless there are obvious symptoms.

6 words at 15 mths show advanced communication skills and being able to turn take (with the ball) is also indicative of good social skills.

To be perfectly honest with you I wouldnt give this a second thought if it were my child.

I would be interested to know where you read about this. Its not something I have heard of and I am always interested in new research etc.

I saw the MCHAT quiz - a screening test for autism - and then read more about it via google

I would imagine that would be for an older child, I thought gesturing with hand counted as pointing at that age?

(could be wrong -sorry!)

Now that's just one example of what annoys me about all the baby books. They draw pictures of babies pointing with their fingers and go on about pointing, as though pointing with your whole hand doesn't count as pointing. You child is pointing things out to you - sharing an experience. That she can't or won't isolate one finger may mean she is finding the co-ordination a bit difficult, or might have slightly low muscle tone in her hand, or just basically hasn't worked out how to do it, yet, or felt the need to do it: she is communicating just fine with her whole hand. As she uses her hands more and more, her fingers will get stronger and better controlled and she will learn to point with one finger if she wants to, or if she doesn't and you start to notice other physical things which she finds difficult, then you can ask to see a physio or occupational therapist, or developmental paediatrician. But you won't get help teaching your daughter to isolate one finger for pointing if that's her only problem - and it isn't a sign of autism, so don't worry.

OP that would be one question in a lengthy questionaire. The child would be 'scored' on the test and then a team of professionals would decided on a diagnosis based on the score plus several other assessments.

If I were you I would not worry about it for a moment longer. Unless you have other concerns regarding your dd's social interaction and development.

Thanks for your informed replies. I have no other concerns about her...there is just too much information out there, I think. I have another child, a DS, and he's a teenager now. When I had him, I didn't have internet, I probably didn't have the luxury of time (single mum, unlike now) and I didn't have a clue! Now I know too much maybe

Google is the devils work