Lack of gestures in a 11.5 month old

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DS is coming up to his first birthday, and I'm surprised that he still isn't clapping or waving. Well, he does sometimes wave, but is very inconsistent and only really does it if you tell him to do it, rather than in response to someone else waving, IYSWIM. The reason why I'm not overly worried is because he is pointing, both to things he wants (drink, toys etc) and things of interest (cars, people etc). He sometimes uses his whole hand to point, sometimes his index finger. I understand that pointing is THE developmental thing to look out for (DS has a first cousin with low-functioning autism so I have been a bit hawk-eyed re his development). I guess my question is, does the fact that he is pointing mean I should stop worrying about the lack of other gestures, or could their absence still indicate that something's amiss? Apart from the gestures, he is a happy little soul, smiley, noisy, mobile. He comes crying to me when he's hurt/grumpy, although this could just be because I'm still BF and therefore his milk supply! He has some words - 'num num' for food, 'boh' for ball etc. Any help really appreciated. Thanks!

sorry, just wanted to add that it's a bit unusual, isn't it, for pointing to come before clapping and waving?

OK I don't think you need to worry.

My almost 12 month old waves at all sorts but doesn't really point. Also has no words. But understands lots of words said to her.

I didn't know pointing was THE thing - now you've got me worried! Well, not really . If anything, your son sounds quite advanced.

Hi Margoandjerry, definitely didn't want to worry anybody!!! I was surprised that DS started poitning when he did because other babies his age who have been clapping and waving for months are not pointing! I think that you don't need to worry unless your DC isn't pointing by 18 months! Also lack of words in my understanding is definitely nothing to worry about, even much further down the line! Thank you for your reply

I really wouldn't worry - they are all so different.

My friend's DD (12 months) points on command (eg "where's mummy?" and she points at her mum) whereas DS (17 months) barely points at all, let alone on command.

His cousin (16 months) points and waves and says bye bye at appropriate times, but doesn't clap or walk. DS claps and walks but only seems to wave when his hand wants exercise - he has no idea it should be connected to people coming and going!

Finally DS spoonfeeds himself, which neither of them do.

Essentially what I am saying is they all do different things at different times and that's totally normal.

Thanks Theyoungvisitor, that is really reassuring! In theory I know that babies are all wildly different in their development, but I had never come across this particular kind of difference before and therefore have had a bit of a panic about it! As I said, I have been very watchful of his development as we have a nephew with very low-functioning autism, plus a few other things like ADHD in our family. I'm sure that this has taken my levels of paranoia to a new level, and I'm looking for things which are in all likelihood not there. It's always reassuring to hear of these kinds of developmental differentiations! As when i see other babies of DS's age, all I can see are the things that DS can't do!

IIRC children are expected to be able to point by the age of 18mths. The fact that your ds has already started is a good sign.

I have 2 boys with autism and a dd (18mths) who shows no signs whatsoever of autism. My 2 boys would never have pointed at anything. Despite being high-functioning they wouldn't have come to me if they needed or wanted anything. They would either help themselves or get very angry with me because, as far as they were concerned, if they knew they wanted something then I must have known too. The fact that your ds comes to you is another positive sign.

Dd sometimes waves but it's strictly on her own terms. She's not particularly interested in clapping either, although again she will if she wants to.

Thanks Coppertop. Interesting and reassuring to hear that your NT DD isn't overly bothered with waving/clapping. I think I thought that unless babies were clapping and waving exactly on cue like little performing seals then something must be wrong ! This has helped to put my mind at rest. I've been becoming quite obsessive about his development, characterising all his behaviours in terms of 'autistic' or not autistic, and have been doing so for months! didn't like to ask the parents of nephew with autism for advice as they're still trying to come to terms with the diagnosis. But anyway, with DS now pointing, I shall hopefully be able to relax a little and enjoy him for his uniqueness and personality, rather than worrying that his quirks are signs of developmental problems (I really have been doing this ).