ASD can impact children and adults in a number of ways, but can you have autism and good eye contact?

Can you be autistic and have good eye contact?

One of the common traits observed in kids with autism is the propensity to have poor eye contact.

This tendency often presents as young as eighteen months but can develop later.

With that said it is also true that some autistic children may conversely exhibit good eye contact.

This article aims to provide parents with insights all about eye contact in autistic children and what they can do to assist their child.

No one size fits all

As we know, autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that it encompasses a wide range of behaviours, traits, and abilities.

Just as every child is unique, so too are their experiences with autism.

Some children with autism naturally have better eye contact, while others may struggle with it.

These differences are a reflection of the neurodiversity within the autism community.

Ratio of poor eye contact and autism

We have searched high and low online and can’t find a percentage figure relating to the prevalence of poor eye contact in autism.

What is clear however is that it is one factor which can contribute towards a diagnosis of autism.

But like one factor wouldn’t lead to a diagnosis alone, equally having good eye contact doesn’t rule a child out from being autistic either.

Communication struggles

Eye contact is a bigger part of communication than you may actually realise.

As an example, when talking to a neuro-typical colleague or friend, it’s quite discomforting if they are looking away at all times.

Children with autism often face challenges in social communication, which can impact their ability to engage in eye contact.

The act of making and maintaining eye contact requires intricate processing of social cues, emotions, and information.

Some children actually find direct eye contact overwhelming or uncomfortable making it difficult for them to engage in this behaviour.

Sensory overload

Sensory sensitivities are a hallmark feature of autism.

Bright lights, noises, and visual stimulus can be overwhelming for some children with autism, making it hard for them to focus on maintaining eye contact.

These sensory sensitivities may lead to avoidance of eye contact as they are busy trying to cope with sensory overload.

If you place yourself in an autistic child’s shoes, imagine your senses were turned up to a ten. You too may also struggle to focus on the quite intense behaviour of eye contact.

Intense interests

Children with autism often have intense and focused interests.

When engaged in their special interests, they may exhibit better eye contact as their attention is naturally drawn to the subject of interest.

This intense focus can actually be used however.

They may be more inclined to make eye contact when discussing topics they are passionate about.

Different communication styles

Communication is not limited to the spoken word.

Nonverbal cues, such as gestures, facial expressions, and body language, also play a crucial role.

Some children with autism may prefer to use alternative methods, like pointing or using communication devices, to express themselves.

This can influence their tendency to avoid direct eye contact.

Respect preferences

It’s important for parents to recognise and respect their child’s individual preferences when it comes to eye contact.

Pushing a child with autism to make eye contact when they are uncomfortable may cause undue stress and hinder their ability to communicate effectively.

Instead, parents can focus on fostering effective communication through other means.

Support

To help children with autism navigate the challenges of eye contact, parents can create a supportive environment.

This includes reducing sensory triggers, providing ample opportunities for communication in comfortable settings, and using visual supports to aid understanding.

Summary – Autism and good eye contact

In the world of autism, the variation in eye contact behaviours is a reflection of the diversity and uniqueness of each child’s experience.

Rather than focusing on whether a child makes good eye contact, parents should prioritise effective communication, respect their child’s individual preferences.

It is also helpful to celebrate the diverse ways in which their child expresses themselves.

By fostering a supportive and understanding environment, parents can empower their child with the tools to communicate and connect in ways that are meaningful to them.