Do you use eye signals?

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I don't make eye contact very well, I tend to talk to people whilst looking across the room or at their nose or mouth usually (I can often tell you more about their dental work than their eye colour), however, I do think I am able to understand eye signals and even use them at times myself. Such as eye rolling for example. A dr did this to me once and I take it to mean I am testing the persons patience.

Can you read eye signals and use them?

I too tend to stare at peoples mouths or noses, and also alternatively at random places around the room. I may fidget with something to give the illusion of distraction etc so that I can look at what I'm doing. I may look at their eyes if someone starts talking to me randomly but then quickly look away, but that's relatively rare.

If I see something such as rolling of eyes I know it's most likely negative, so I base it off what was last said (the context). I know that eye rolling in particular is not always negative as I've seen others roll their eyes after I deliver a flirtatious comment their way, and when that happens I assume they're slightly embarrassed, amused or happy. Usually they'll smile, and so that in combination with the eye rolling informs me of the nature of the behaviour. It also depends on who rolls their eyes, for example, if one of my friends rolled their eyes at me I'd know they were most likely doing it as a joke or tease and so that's what I'd assume at first. That's how I've learned most things, but I don't know how many are correct.

Last edited by Norny on 11 Feb 2014, 11:10 am, edited 2 times in total.

I don't even know what an eye signal is, much less how to use one.

I manage to sneak glances at people now and then – enough that it seems like I'm making eye contact. And I'm never aware of other people's facial expressions, but I sometimes try making them myself. Like, I'll try to do a funny confused expression sometimes, sort of mimicking what I've seen on TV.

But I really only talk to my parents, and I honestly don't think they use facial expressions at all. (I could be wrong about that though... Ha!)

I have learned to fake NT eye signals quite well now, but as a child I wasn't diagnosed and looking back, must have seemed like I was either staring at people or always not paying attention. It's especially a problem in embarrassing situations as all I really want to do is look away.

LOL im fascinated with teeth.
I can read some eye signals, like when someone squints to show they do not understand.

I can't fake 'em but I can understand most facial gestures quite well as I've been studying body language for years. It helps fit into the NT lifestyle and it's a great way to pass the time in a bar or a cafe.

Not well unless it's something obvious. It's aggravating, because I know something's there I'm supposed to respond to but it's just static to me.

I can understand facial gestures/expressions fine. I have trouble making them though.

According to other people my eye contact is normal. I also don't have too many problems reading body language. I just don't always know how to respond to it.

Meh. I really don't have any real trouble figuring out eye signals or body language.

I take the eye roll to essentially mean: "How Ridiculous!" - which can be negative and sarcastic ("Oh, Brother!"), or exasperated ("Gimme a Break!"), or self-deprecating ("Duh, Silly, I Know"), depending on context.

I think I read eye signals fairly well - when I notice them - but I'm not generally making much eye contact, so I probably miss a lot more than I see.

As for whether I can use them, I couldn't guess. I often think I'm smiling when I'm told I'm not.

What surprises me is that "deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors" is a mandatory criteria for ASD, whereas other symptoms that I find far more disabling are 'optional' (meaning you need 2 out of 4).

It makes me wonder – is nonverbal communication really that important? (Obviously it's not to me... Ha!) I'm completely oblivious to it, but when I think about the symptoms of autism that really interfere with my ability to function, this isn't one of them.