Since children with autism cannot convey what they want or feel through making eye contact, it is difficult to engage with them. Studies debunked the theory that lack of eye contact indicates an indifference and lack of empathy. The question why individuals with autism avoid or have reduced eye contact has been asked for a long time. Why is eye contact difficult and distressing for individuals with autism?
There is no definitive cause revealed by the studies, but there are a few ideas indicating why autistic children may lack eye contact.Ĭhildren with autism often do not prompt other children to make eye contact. In the case of children with autism, avoidance of eye contact can stem from other reasons. dislike the person who is attempting to make an eye contact,.A child may not make eye contact because they may: This does not mean that the child has autism. There may be a lot of reasons why a child might not engage in eye contact. Lack of eye contact does not have one single cause. Lack of eye contact in toddlers and children This behavior is determined to be a way to decrease the unpleasing excessive arousal that is caused by this part of the brain. Lack of eye contact in autistic individuals was found to be a response to an uncomfortable sensation the individual felt. However, when autistic individuals were shown only the eye area, their subcortical brain system was overactivated. While looking at the entire face, the brain activities of both groups were found to be similar. Participants either freely looked at the faces or they were restricted to seeing only the eye area of the images. They tracked the gaze of the participants. In the studies they conducted, researchers had people with and without autism look at images of faces.
Subcortical system also helps people perceive emotions. This area of the brain is responsible for triggering babies’ natural attraction to faces or help them turn towards faces they find familiar. It was discovered by the researchers that a part of the brain activated by eye contact, which is called the subcortical system was abnormally activated in those on the autism spectrum. Studies looked into the source of the behavior to determine whether this is caused by the sensation itself or due to social delays.
They claim that it is difficult and unnatural for them to express their feelings over anxiety. However, many autistic people indicate that eye contact causes them discomfort and stress. This was also found in the statements of individuals with autism who had difficulty in making eye contact.įor individuals with typical development, avoiding eye contact is generally deemed as a sign of social indifference. However, studies revealed that avoiding the practice is not a sign of “ not caring”. At first, it was thought that the failure of eye contact resulted from lack of interest. The fact that individuals with autism avoid eye contact has been widely researched. Does poor eye contact definitely mean autism? Several findings are available to shine a light on the topic. Is it because autistic individuals are not interested in what others are saying? Or are there scientific explanations?
There has been a lot of debate and research on why individuals with autism do not make eye contact. The question of why this is the case has been here for a long time. At early ages, they lack eye contact behavior. This behavior presents itself even when the individual is an infant. However, one of the hallmark signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder is that individuals generally avoid making eye contact. Not making eye contact can generally be deemed as: Also, eye contact is important in catching and responding to social cues from other people. It often means and indicates that people would like to communicate with other individuals. Eye contact has a significant place in nonverbal communication behavior.