
18/07/2025
✨Discover the Magic of Shared Moments✨
Unlock your child's potential through joint attention! Learn how simple, everyday interactions can spark communication, boost social skills, and create joyful, meaningful connections. Let's dive in and make every moment count!
🔎 What is Joint Attention?
✅ Joint attention is when two people share focus on an object or event (e.g., looking at a toy together).
✅ It’s a building block for communication, language, play, and social development.
✅ Starts early in life: typical by 9-15 months in neurotypical children.
🚩 Why It's Important in Autism
✅Many children with autism show delays or difficulties with joint attention.
✅This affects how they connect, learn language, and relate to others.
✅It’s one of the early indicators of autism in toddlers.
🧠 What It Looks Like
✅Initiating: Pointing, showing, or looking to get someone’s attention.
✅Responding: Following someone else’s gaze or pointing gesture.
👪 How Can Parents Help?
✅Follow your child’s lead during play—talk about what they’re interested in.
✅Use gestures, pointing, and eye contact to connect and invite shared focus.
✅Use animated facial expressions and voice to capture interest.
✅Narrate and label during shared activities (e.g., “You see the car? Vroom!”).
🎯 Evidence-Based Tips
✅Start early. Toddlers benefit most from early, consistent joint attention activities.
✅Daily routines are powerful. Bath time, meals, and play are all natural opportunities.
✅Celebrate small wins. Eye contact + shared smile = progress!
🔗 Sources & Further Reading
TherapyWorks. (n.d.). Improving Joint Attention in Children with Autism. Retrieved from therapyworks.com
Autism Speaks. (n.d.). Joint Attention and Autism. Expert opinion. Retrieved from autismspeaks.org
Kasari, C., Gulsrud, A., Wong, C., Kwon, S., & Locke, J. (2006). Promoting Joint Attention in Toddlers with Autism: A Parent-Mediated Developmental Model. Retrieved from ResearchGate