Medically Reviewed By Sonam Kothari, Written By Tejasvi Parekh
Despite its apparent simplicity, eye contact can be a complex and unique experience for people with autism when compared to their peers without the condition. Studies show that there are behavioral and brain differences in how individuals with autism react to eye contact.
Yale University researchers compared the effects of eye contact on autistic and non-autistic people using brain scans. According to their research, each group's eye contact activates distinct brain regions, highlighting a basic variation in the way this social cue is interpreted.
In another study, scientists measured how the brain responded to eye contact using an electroencephalogram (EEG). They discovered that:
The authors of the study hypothesize that these variations could mean that autistic kids:
These findings underscore the need for more understanding and adaptation in social interactions by providing valuable insights into the distinctive ways in which autistic individuals perceive and respond to social cues.
Establishing eye contact can be quite difficult for many autistic persons. It can be challenging to handle this situation as a parent, teacher, or therapist, particularly when dealing with a youngster who doesn't make eye contact in the same manner as typically developing children.
Eye contact may be extremely distressing and uncomfortable for autistic people, which is one reason it can be difficult for them. The intensity of maintaining eye contact can be overpowering for some autistic children, causing them to strongly want to avoid it.
Furthermore, it's possible that these kids just want to interact with people in non-eye contact ways. They can find it more comfortable to glance away from their conversation partner when they are interacting, which frees them from the tension that comes with making eye contact.
It's critical to comprehend these inclinations and reactions in order to support youngsters with autism. To ensure that encounters are constructive and encouraging rather than upsetting, it's critical to respect their comfort levels and look for alternatives to non-eye contact in order to connect and communicate.
It's crucial to keep in mind that while not making eye contact may be an indication of autism, it doesn't always follow that someone has the disorder. This is particularly true for young children, who may look away from an adult's face even though they are not making eye contact.
But if your child is younger than three and exhibits some of the following behaviors in addition to a lack of eye contact, it may be worthwhile to have them evaluated for autism:
It is crucial that you speak with your healthcare professional if you notice your child exhibiting these behaviors. For a more in-depth assessment, they might suggest that you see a developmental pediatrician or psychologist. Early diagnosis can result in early intervention, which can have a profound impact on a child's growth and well-being.
Increasing eye contact in kids with autism can be accomplished in a number of ways, depending on the needs and abilities of each child. The following advice could be helpful:
Seize the chance to encourage your child to make eye contact when they do so naturally. Giving your child vocal praise or a modest gift is an example of positive reinforcement that might help them make eye contact more frequently.
Another strategy to encourage eye contact with your child is to have conversations on subjects they are enthusiastic about. For instance, if your child is fascinated by trains or superheroes, discuss those topics with them while keeping eye contact. In a relaxed and fun environment, this organic connection can support the reinforcement of eye contact.
Youngsters learn knowledge from watching others. As you engage in social interactions, set a good example for your child by maintaining eye contact and demonstrating its significance. They are more inclined to imitate you if they witness you maintaining eye contact when conversing with others.
The technique of gradually encouraging baby steps toward a desired behavior is known as shaping. When it comes to making eye contact, this could entail setting small, achievable objectives at first, like giving someone a quick glance, and then progressively raising the bar for eye contact over time. To prevent upsetting your child, be sure to keep an eye on their comfort level.
Begin by making eye contact with someone in a familiar and comfortable setting, such as a parent or sibling, then work your way up to teachers or classmates. Adapt the strategy to your child's comfort level and level of readiness to increase their eye contact abilities.
Pausing after your toddler asks for something is an easy way to promote eye contact. When they ask, "Can I have some juice?" for example, wait a moment before answering to be sure they're looking at you. If necessary, you can gently nudge them in your direction.
Visual aids can also be an aid in promoting eye contact. This could involve guiding your child's focus with a gesture, such as pointing from their line of sight to yours. To help your youngster remember to make eye contact, you may also utilize an image icon.
You may assist your youngster in progressively gaining confidence in maintaining eye contact by putting these strategies into practice.
Direct eye contact can frequently be overpowering or uncomfortable for those with autism. Many people as a result learn different techniques to handle social situations without making eye contact. During a conversation, the autistic person can benefit from focusing on something other than their communication partner's face.
This substitute lessens the potential for sensory pain that eye contact may create while enabling the individual with autism to stay involved in the interaction.
They could decide to gaze at a toy, a piece of furniture, or even their own hands as an example of a neutral object in the surroundings. They can participate in the social interchange while feeling more at ease thanks to this tactic.
Sometimes it's especially helpful to have a specified task to complete throughout the conversation. For example, they could sketch, hold a fidget toy, or perhaps perform some light construction or handicraft.
In addition to offering a focus point apart from the conversation partner, these activities can assist the person in coping with any anxiety or sensory overload that may result from the social contact itself.
The secret to this strategy is that it gives the autistic person the freedom to express interest and attention in a way that suits them. They can listen intently, reply appropriately, and participate meaningfully in the conversation even if they aren't making eye contact.
This tactic recognizes that there are other appropriate methods to interact with people and that meaningful communication need not always involve making eye contact.
Furthermore, parents, educators, and therapists can promote more constructive and successful communication with autistic people by being aware of and supportive of these alternate approaches.
It is possible to have more successful and stress-free social interactions by emphasizing the comfort of the individual and the quality of connection rather than focussing on the lack of eye contact.
While avoiding eye contact is a prevalent habit among autistic individuals, it is not a clear marker of autism. individuals with autism may find eye contact uncomfortable or fail to see the value neurotypical individuals do in it.
On the other hand, avoiding eye contact is not unique to autism; it can also be a sign of alexithymia, a disorder marked by trouble identifying and expressing emotions. Though it affects roughly 50% of people with autism, alexithymia can also result from other neurological or psychological problems.
