People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently avoid making eye contact, and now scientists think they know why.
Myth 1 – autistic people cannot make eye contact
This is well known but factually inaccurate. Whilst many autistic people struggle to make eye contact, some are able to, so don't assume someone who identifies as being autistic won't be able to meet your gaze.
In many cases, children with autism are known to have sensory issues. This could possibly be one of them. As a result of the greater stimulation they receive from eye contact, they end up shying away from it, creating the commonly observed phenomenon of autistic individuals avoiding eye contact.
Reciprocal eye contact seems to be a natural form of non-verbal communication. Since eye contact is often seen as such an influential component of non-verbal communication, it tends to get a lot of attention within autism research and diagnosis.
not understanding social "rules", such as not talking over people. avoiding eye contact. getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you. noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not.
1 Eye Contact: Avoidance of eye contact may be a charactersitic behaviour of a child with ADHD or Autistic Specrum Disorder. They may look as if they are ignoring you, but some children find making eye contact really difficult.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition whose hallmark signs include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Autism is also a neurodevelopmental condition, but one characterized by social skills challenges like social interactions, communications, and repetitive behaviors.
Wearing headphones can serve as a way for autistic people to feel in charge and self-assured. Not only does this feeling of ownership provide a sense of security, but it also gives them the freedom to regulate their listening environment and block out auditory distractions in order to reduce sensory stressors.
Autistic people often prefer to view inanimate objects over people interacting. This atypical gaze pattern may help clinicians flag autism before other traits appear. The average age of diagnosis in the United States is 4 years.
When a child or teen with autism is stared at, it's usually because s/he is displaying some type of social behavior that deviates from what society thinks of as normal. Usually, a person with autism does not appear different from others. (Although wearing headphones for noise reduction can attract attention).
Though autistic people may respond to emotions and social cues differently than neurotypical people, this does not mean they lack empathy. Just like neurotypical people, levels of empathy vary between autistic individuals.
Researcher Warren Jones said: “They're looking less at the eyes not because of an aversion to making eye contact, but because they don't appear to understand the social significance of eye contact.” Alongside other factors, reduced eye contact is a well-known symptom of autism and is used in diagnosing the condition.
Children can be misdiagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and not actually be autistic. It is concerning enough for a parent to be told their child is on the Autism Spectrum, but for a child to be misdiagnosed as having autism can cause unnecessary stress and worry for the family.
Difficulty Communicating and Awkward Communication
Signs that someone is finding it difficult to communicate include: – Difficulty reading social cues and participating in conversations. – Difficulty empathizing with other people's thoughts and feelings. – Struggling to read people's body language or facial expressions.
Autism in women can look like difficulty with social relationships, sensory overwhelm, sensory seeking, challenges in work life, and an intense focus on a desired topic. Treatment is only necessary if the symptoms negatively impact a person's life.
Although 2019 research suggests some symptoms of ADHD and ASD overlap, there are distinct differences. A person with ADHD may have attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity challenges. But an autistic individual may have difficulties with communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors.
Furthermore, they many times find simple social interactions painful or awkward. This all results in not always knowing how to interact with others or pick up on social cues. As a result, eye contact just doesn't happen often if at all.
Many people with ADHD experience a physical hypersensitivity to a variety of things, including touch. Being hypersensitive may mean that stimulation of their genitals might be uncomfortable or even painful in someone with ADHD. This sensitivity may also extend to other senses as well.
You could be staring off because you're bored, or it could be a sign of a deeper issue. If you find yourself daydreaming a lot, and have trouble on focusing on certain things, you may be suffering from adult ADHD.
If you still hear people use some of the older terms, you'll want to know what they mean: Asperger's syndrome. This is on the milder end of the autism spectrum. A person with Asperger's may be very intelligent and able to handle their daily life.
It is possible to be mildly autistic, but many of the behaviors and preferences found in people with autism are also common to people who do not have autism. The difference is that people with autism engage in these behaviors in different ways and for different reasons.