If you have an autistic child who seems to avoid eye contact it is perfectly understandable to try and work out why that may be the case.

Eye contact and autism

There are several theories about why children with ASD avoid eye contact, but researchers are still exploring the underlying mechanisms.

One theory is that children with ASD find it challenging to process social cues, such as facial expressions and body language, that are typically communicated through eye contact.

If an autistic child or adult doesn’t process or ‘get’ the information which is transmitted through eye contact then it serves to reason that they would instinctively not seek it out.

As they may struggle to interpret social signals and respond appropriately this can lead to anxiety and discomfort.

This discomfort could lead to a snowballing effect of avoiding it further followed by increased anxiety when eye contact is made.

Coping mechanism

Another theory is that avoiding eye contact is a coping mechanism that helps children with ASD manage sensory overload.

Research has suggested that children with ASD may experience hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, including visual information.

Eye contact can be overwhelming and cause sensory overload, leading to avoidance as a means of self-regulation.

Furthermore, children with ASD may also have difficulties with social motivation, meaning they may not have the same interest or desire to engage in social interactions as typically developing children.

They may not feel the same drive to seek out social connections, and therefore, may not prioritise maintaining eye contact during social interactions.

Every person is different

It is important to note that there is significant variation among individuals with ASD, and not all children with ASD avoid eye contact.

Some may make eye contact in certain situations, while others may make only fleeting eye contact.

Additionally, the severity of symptoms and the extent to which they affect social interaction can vary widely from person to person.

Summary

For years researchers have looked into why an autistic child (or adult) may avoid eye contact.

It may be related to difficulties in processing social cues, coping with sensory overload, or differences in social motivation.

Understanding the underlying mechanisms can help parents, caregivers, and educators provide support and create strategies to help children with ASD navigate social interactions more comfortably.

For more articles on raising an autistic child feel free to browse our archive. Alternatively you could visit the UK’s national autistic societies site here.