If you have been around someone living with the Autism Spectrum Disorder for a while you would have noticed that they hardly look at you in the eyes when you are in conversation. The eye contact might be there sometimes but for a short while.
This might not be the case for all autistic people but it is for most of them. Let us look at what health experts say are the reasons this is happening.
According to Autism Parenting Magazine, children with autism may avoid eye contact due to discomfort or the fact that they don’t consider eye contact as important. “One idea, called the ‘gaze aversion theory,’ suggests that people with autism feel anxious or threatened when they have to make eye contact. Some studies show that their brains react strongly to eye contact, which might support this theory.’
The publication further explains that another theory called the “gaze indifference theory” suggests that individuals with autism may not find eye contact interesting or important and that their brains don’t react much to eye contact.
Other reasons stated by Thrive Autism Coaching include:
Sensory overload: It is stated that autistic individuals experience high-definition visuals, including eye contact, which can be likened to sensory overload. “For them, maintaining eye contact can be similar to a sensory overload, almost as if someone has turned the volume up too loud on their visual input. As a result, avoiding eye contact becomes a necessary strategy for managing this overwhelming stream of sensory information.”
Inability to process simultaneous information: The above source also states that some autistic individuals struggle with the simultaneous processing of verbal and nonverbal cues, causing the cognitive load to be too intense. “Although neurotypical people may effortlessly integrate spoken words and facial expressions, some autistic people may find the cognitive load of doing both too intense.”
Different understanding of communication and social interaction: “Autistic people often have their unique styles of communication and interaction that may differ from neurotypical norms. For some, this could mean that eye contact is not their preferred way of showing attentiveness or understanding in a conversation,” states Thrive Autism Coaching. The publication further mentions that they could express attention and empathy in other ways or use alternative nonverbal clues.
