Joint attention means sharing an experience by looking at, listening to, or doing something together. It’s a valuable skill for young children as they learn to communicate with the people around them.

Examples of joint attention are:

• Following another person’s gaze to see what they’re looking at.
• Turning your body toward another person.
• Pointing at or showing an object to another person.
• Imitating another person’s movements, expressions, or sounds.

Playing together is a great way parents and caregivers can build a child’s joint attention skills.

Most young children show joint attention behaviors even before they learn to talk. But children with autism don’t always show these behaviors. Or the behaviors might look different for them.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a developmental condition that affects how people communicate and interact with others. The first signs of autism often show up in children at 2 or 3 years of age.

Like all children, children who have autism explore the world around them through play. Parents and caregivers of children who have autism can use play to promote joint attention. This can help create positive social interactions, support speech development, and boost a child’s ability to focus.

If your child has autism, their ways of playing might look different. For example, they might like to play alone, play with toys the same way over and over, or focus closely on parts of an object.

Consider these ways to promote joint attention:

• Follow your child's lead. It’s important to respect your child’s way of playing, even if it's different from what you’re used to. Avoid giving directions or trying to change how your child plays. Instead, follow their lead by imitating their actions and sounds.
• Respond to signs of interest, even if your child isn’t using them to get your attention. For example, if your child is looking at a ball, say “Yes, I see the ball too! Would you like to hold it?”
• Connect gestures and words. You can do this with toys or even everyday objects. For example, you can hold up a cup you’re drinking out of and say “Look, I have a cup of water!”
• Offer opportunities for movement. Moving their body helps your child regulate their nervous system. Getting active together also gives you a chance to engage with your child without the need for language, which is important for nonverbal children (children who don’t talk).
• Encourage sensory play. For example, blow bubbles together, play with sand or water, or explore light-up and musical toys that capture your child’s attention.
• Use big gestures and facial expressions. Exaggerated gestures and facial expressions are easier for your child to recognize than subtle ones. And they can be fun. Make silly faces or spread your arms wide to show your child how big you are. Invite your child to imitate you, but don’t force them.
• Praise any attempt to share information. Respond warmly if your child is pointing at or holding up an object for you to see. This will serve as positive reinforcement.