There are a few reasons why an autistic child may avoid eye contact.

One reason is that eye contact can be overwhelming or uncomfortable for some individuals with autism. Making eye contact involves processing a lot of nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language, which can be difficult for individuals with autism.

It can also be physically uncomfortable to make sustained eye contact due to sensitivity to light or other sensory issues.

Another reason is that some individuals with autism may have difficulty interpreting social cues and may not realize that making eye contact is an important part of social interaction. They may simply be unaware that it is expected of them or may not understand its significance.

It’s also possible that an individual with autism may have difficulty maintaining eye contact because of underlying language or attention problems. For example, if an individual with autism has difficulty understanding what is being said to them, they may look away because they are trying to process the information. Similarly, if an individual with autism has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or is easily distractible, they may have trouble maintaining eye contact because they are easily distracted by their surroundings.

It’s important to note that every individual with autism is different and may have their own unique challenges when it comes to eye contact. It’s also important to remember that eye contact is just one aspect of social interaction and that there are many other ways to connect with and communicate with individuals with autism.

Feel free to browse our site for more tips and help with raising an autistic child.  Alternatively you can go to either the UK’s National Autistic Society or the US Autism Association.