I had the same experience as torontokids with the sign. It defeated the teachings we normally give kids in the sense of just standing there and pointing and grunting does not get you the toy off the shelf. But just standing there and make a "gesture" with the fingers and they expect the toy - um no - over a certain age - you use your words. At minimum make a grunt or some other verbal sound that shows me that you have made the connection between verbal words and communication.