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Original poster

12 month old only pointing with Middle Finger

9 replies

dannid · 11/12/2008 19:10

Hello.

I am slightly concerned by the fact that my 12 mth old DS only points with his middle finger. He uses his middle finger when playing and pretty much anything he does. I wasn't concerned about it myself and thought that is was just one of his quirky little behaviours that he would grow out of. However, people keep commenting on it and how unusual it is so I thought I would have a look on mumsnet to see if anyone else has experienced this. This has only made me worry even more as I have now read that not pointing with his index finger could be a sign of autism. Other than pointing with his middle finger his development seems perfectly normal to me. Do you think I should be concerned? Has anyone else had experience of this? Would love to hear from you. xxx

OP posts:
VivaLaPotPourri · 11/12/2008 19:12

No experience of this as I am sure DS didn't point with anything this early, but instead of putting his thumb up he woudl stick out his forefinger for ages. Only can do it now at 2 1/2.

TotalChaos · 11/12/2008 19:16

for purposes of ruling out a communication problem or autism, the deadline for pointing is 18 months, so try not to worry. I don't think the significance is in which finger, but that your child is aware you are separate from them, and don't know their thoughts, and point to show you what they want.

TotalChaos · 11/12/2008 19:16

or they point to show you what they are interested in.

Desiderata · 11/12/2008 19:18

He's probably been watching Spiderman!

I don't recall my ds pointing at all until he was at least two, so I wouldn't worry, dannid. It's no doubt just a quirk.

kalo12 · 11/12/2008 19:22

how is his index finger ? the reason i ask this is because i snapped a tendon on my finger simply by picking a jumper off the floor! the tenon snaps and your finger goes a bit floppy. the only way it can heal is to be put in straight splint for a few weeks.
anyway the doc told me that its very easy to do and it can happenm just pulling your knicks up!

could there be something wrong with his finger?

LynetteScavo · 11/12/2008 19:31

My 9yo does this. If I catch him I'm so and tell him finger swearing is just not acceptable. Ever.

Original poster
dannid · 11/12/2008 20:01

Thanks for your messages guys...LynetteScavo you make me laugh! hehe!!

I'm sure it is just a quirk. Just got a bit worried when people started commenting on how unusual it was....and he seems to do it with everything (for example when picking things up he uses him middle finger and thumb)...was slightly concerned it would cause problems when it comes to writting etc.

I haven't noticed anything wrong with his index finger Kalo12...but I will have a check when he wakes up in the morning. He seems to be doing it with both hands though so I guess that would suggest it is not a tendon problem.
xx

OP posts:
Millsie1 · 11/12/2008 20:18

I did the same when I was a child until about 4 or 5 I think. It's called middle finger dominance and there's nothing wrong with it - I like to think it's a sign of intelligence and wit! When I write my middle finger leads the pen too and I'm much more likely to, say, scratch off a label with middle finger than index.

Original poster
dannid · 12/12/2008 19:07

awww so its just that he's a clever little monkey then...hehe! Thanks everyone...you have put mind mind at rest! xx

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