If you have noticed your child rolling their eyes upwards and are wondering what link it has to autism, we explain all below.

Eye rolling in autistic children

As parents, we constantly observe our children’s behaviours, searching for clues about their well-being and development.

One behaviour which often catches our attention is when our child rolls their eyes upwards. It can be a perplexing sight, leading some to question whether it is linked to autism.

It is crucial to approach this topic with empathy and understanding, as eye rolling alone cannot be definitively linked to autism.

Let’s explore the matter further and dispel any misconceptions.

A common occurrence?

Eye rolling is not an uncommon behaviour in children.

It can stem from various factors, such as momentary frustration, boredom, or even a playful gesture.

It is essential to remember that children are still developing their social skills and emotional regulation.

This can wind up leading to occasional expressions that may seem puzzling to adults.

What about a child rolling their eyes upwards and autism?

In autism, various eye movements and gaze patterns have been observed.

It’s important to note that these eye movements are not exclusive to children with autism and can be seen in individuals without autism as well.

However, certain eye movement patterns are more commonly associated with autism.

Here are a few eye movements that are frequently observed:

Lack of eye contact

Difficulty making or maintaining eye contact is a common characteristic of children with autism.

Children on the autism spectrum may avoid direct eye contact or have intermittent eye contact during social interactions.

This can be due to challenges in social communication and processing.

Atypical gaze patterns

Kids with autism may exhibit atypical gaze patterns.

They may focus intensely on objects or specific parts of objects rather than the whole.

For example, they might fixate on spinning wheels of a toy car or repeatedly observe a specific detail in their environment.

Unusual eye movement

Some children with autism engage in repetitive or stereotypic eye movements.

These may include repetitive blinking, rapid darting of the eyes from side to side, or indeed rolling their eyes upwards.

These movements often serve as self-stimulatory behaviours or ways to self-regulate sensory input.

Peripheral gaze

Some children and adults with autism tend to rely more on peripheral vision rather than central vision when observing their surroundings.

This means they may appear to be looking away or not paying attention, but they might still be aware of their environment through their peripheral vision.

Hyperfocus

Children with autism can sometimes exhibit intense focus and attention on specific objects, topics, or activities.

They may become fixated on these interests and display prolonged periods of intense concentration, often accompanied by increased eye contact or narrowed focus.

Diagnosing autism

What is really important to note is that the diagnosis process for autism is thorough and multifaceted.

It involves a comprehensive evaluation conducted by professionals, considering a wide range of behavioural, social, and communicative factors.

It is crucial to remember that autism cannot be diagnosed solely based on isolated behaviors, but rather through a holistic assessment of a child’s development.

Autism is typically characterised by a combination of signs and symptoms.

These may include difficulties in social interaction, delayed language development, repetitive behaviours, and sensory sensitivities.

It is crucial for parents to remain vigilant and consult with healthcare professionals if they are concerned.

In reality this would be if they notice a cluster of these symptoms, rather than focusing solely on eye rolling.

Every child is unique, and their development follows diverse paths.

While it is crucial to remain attentive to our child’s behaviours, we must also recognise and celebrate their individuality.

Occasional eye rolling should not be an immediate cause for concern or lead to unnecessary anxiety.

Summary – Child rolling eyes upwards and autism

While it is essential to remain attentive to our children’s behaviours, we should avoid prematurely connecting eye rolling with autism.

It’s important to remember that not all individuals with autism exhibit these eye movements, and likewise their presence does not confirm an autism diagnosis.

Autism is a complex and varied spectrum disorder, and each individual may exhibit a unique combination of behaviours and characteristics.

A comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals specialising in autism is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.