Pointing at a plane, holding up a toy to show you, glancing back to see if you noticed the dog: these small moments are joint attention, and they build the base for talking and playing together.
Joint attention in autism often develops differently, which is why our team at Little Champs ABA pays close attention to it from the first session. Spotting the early signs gives you a clear reason to ask for an evaluation and a starting point for support.
What Is Joint Attention in Autism, and How Does It Develop?
Joint attention means two people focus on the same thing and show each other they are sharing the moment. It usually emerges toward the end of a child’s first year and keeps growing through the second. In autism, this skill often develops differently, which is why I look for it in every first observation.
Responding and initiating
There are two sides to joint attention. Responding means following a point or a glance, like turning to see the bird you are pointing at. Initiating means starting the moment yourself, by pointing, holding up a toy, or glancing back to see if you noticed. Many autistic children find initiating harder than responding.
Sharing versus asking
Pointing at a cookie on a high shelf is a request. Pointing at an airplane just to share it is joint attention. Both are communication, but the second is the social sharing we look for, because it shows a child wants company in the experience.
How Joint Attention Shapes Communication and Play
When a child and caregiver look at the same thing, the words that belong to it arrive at the perfect moment. Play grows the same way, since turn-taking and pretend games depend on checking in with a partner.
Through shared focus, children practice:
- Learning words that match what they are looking at
- Taking turns in back-and-forth games
- Sharing excitement, which makes interaction rewarding
- Moving from solo play toward play with others
UCLA researchers describe babies with autism who look at caregivers’ faces less and point or show less often, with language delays sometimes following. Early joint attention has also been tied to later vocabulary growth, though one small study of 12-month-olds found differences too subtle to serve as a stand-alone sign. A single moment is never a verdict.
Signs of Joint Attention Differences by Age
Every child develops on their own timeline, and no single sign confirms autism. CDC lists milestones parents can track, and a pattern across several is more informative than any one moment.
- By 9 months: does not respond to their name
- By 12 months: few or no gestures, such as waving goodbye, and little interest in games like pat-a-cake
- By 15 months: does not show you an object they like
- By 18 months: does not point to show you something interesting
If you notice several of these, ask your pediatrician about developmental screening. The latest CDC data show about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds identified with autism, so you are far from alone.
How ABA Builds Joint Attention Through Play
Modern ABA relies on warm, child-led teaching rather than rigid drills. Our BCBAs build joint attention goals into activities your child already loves, and we reinforce every attempt to share.
What a session can look like
A BCBA might hold a bubble wand, wait face to face, and pause until your child glances up, points, or says “more.” Then we celebrate the share and keep the moment going. We also create small surprises, like a favorite toy in an odd spot, so your child has a reason to show us something.
Research on play-based models points the same direction. UCLA’s JASPER approach targets joint attention, symbolic play, engagement, and regulation, and trials have shown it can improve social communication skills. That idea guides our sessions: teach inside activities the child chooses.
Skills only count when they travel, so we practice across rooms, people, and settings, as our post on generalization in ABA explains. Parents also ask about timing, and our guide to when to start ABA answers it.
Everyday Ways to Practice Joint Attention at Home
You do not need special equipment, only a few minutes of face-to-face time.
- Get to your child’s eye level and comment on what they notice
- Point out something interesting, look back at your child, and wait
- Pause during favorite games so your child has to signal “more”
- Set up a small surprise, like a spoon where a fork should be, and watch for a reaction
- Celebrate every look, point, or sound with real enthusiasm
Utah families can take these ideas outdoors with our roundup of Salt Lake playgrounds.
Where Families Can Find Support
At Little Champs ABA, we support autistic children and their families across Colorado, Utah, Georgia, and Virginia, including communities such as Aurora, Park City, and Alpharetta. Georgia parents of children under three can also explore early intervention through Babies Can’t Wait.
Our services include:
- Center-based ABA therapy
- ABA therapy at home
- ABA therapy in school
- ABA therapy in daycare
- ABA therapy for teenagers
- Telehealth ABA
Next Steps for Joint Attention in Autism
Joint attention is a small skill with a long reach. Watch for the looks, points, and shows that invite you into your child’s world, and celebrate each one. When joint attention in autism looks different from what you expected, support through play can begin early, and we never promise a timeline because every child moves at their own pace.
If several of these skills seem missing, you do not have to wait for certainty to ask questions. Contact our team or call 385-494-3500, and we will help you plan what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is joint attention in autism?
Joint attention is sharing focus on an object or event with another person through looks, gestures, or words. In autism, starting these shared moments, especially pointing or showing just to share interest, is often harder.
At what age should a child point to show something?
CDC lists not pointing to show you something interesting by 18 months as a sign worth discussing with your child’s provider.
Can joint attention be taught?
Play-based approaches such as JASPER have been shown to improve social communication skills, and our BCBAs teach joint attention through play. Progress varies, and no program can guarantee results.
Does limited joint attention mean my child has autism?
No single sign confirms autism. An evaluation looks at communication, play, and behavior together.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Data and statistics on autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/signs-symptoms/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Screening for autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/diagnosis/index.html
- UCLA Health. (n.d.). Autism treatment and intervention research. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. https://medschool.ucla.edu/research/themed-areas/neuroscience-research/brain-disorders-and-degeneration/biology-of-autism/intervention-research
- Lowry, L. (2022, February 10). Paying attention to children’s joint attention. The Hanen Centre. https://www.hanen.org/information-tips/paying-attention-to-childrens-joint-attention
- Brewe, A. M., Reisinger, D. L., Adlof, S. M., & Roberts, J. E. (2018). Initiating joint attention use in infants at high-risk for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 62(10), 842–853. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9904243/