Do people on the spectrum always have poor eye contact?
Or is that a myth that's been passed down as gospel? The assessor said my eye contact was ok today but not so good at the first assessment. My stepdaughter pointed out that my eye contact was not good with strangers.
I am consciously aware that making eye contact is seen as the socially acceptable way to do things and therefore will try to make eye contact. It's not something I feel totally comfortable with though.
Ichinin
Veteran
Joined: 3 Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,653
Location: A cold place with lots of blondes.
Yes we do, 100% of us.
It is even such a big problem that our eyes fall out even if we even consider learn to look people in the eye. There is no way to learn this, especially not by looking people in the forehead then slowly over time learn to look people in the eye. Also, Aspies/Autistics are totally incapable of change, especially with age and every prejudice that is uttered by any random stranger is 100% correct.
_________________
"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring" (Carl Sagan)
^^ Thanks for that explanation. One thing I struggle with is how little is too little and how much is too much. It's not a natural process for me ie I'll make eye contact because I know eye contact is expected,
and as I'm doing it I'm thinking 'Do I look away yet or not?'
It also depends on who I'm with.
I used to have poor eye contact when i was younger, but ABA forced me to make eye contact. My current eye contact level seems "typical," but I don't always like making eye contact. For example, I will generally avoid eye contact with a person I dislike or don't trust, but that might be considered "typical."
_________________
I am no longer using WP. Please PM me if you want to talk.
Ichinin
Veteran
Joined: 3 Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,653
Location: A cold place with lots of blondes.
<- PHD in Sarcasm.
Not calling you an idiot, i'm calling this an idiot question that is asked too often, and should be put in a FAQ. I'm just tired of the lack of understanding from autistics that they are not the center of the universe.
The only thing you and i have in common is the diagnostic criteria:
https://iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/ ... s_syndrome
* Eye contact problems is common in autism, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
* Alexithymia is also common, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
* Face blindness i've heard of on these forums, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
* Stimming is common in autism, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
Seeing a pattern yet?
_________________
"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring" (Carl Sagan)
Yes, I have had difficulties with eye contact most of my life. But it wasn't always a deficit. As a child, into my teens, and well into my 20s, I was guilty of the "death stare" as fnord proposed. I still feel bad about the holes I stared thru people.
The past 15-20 years my eye contact has swung the other direction and I have trouble making enough. I wear shades when I can which eliminates the need for eye contact and for the most part interaction with others altogether. If I am going to be in a situation where I will have to interact with others, I usually take a small spiral notebook with me to give me an alternative object to focus on. Even when I go to my autism support group meetings I take this notebook. I do write down who is sitting where in an effort to remember names etc, but that is about all.
I think I have learned how to decently manage eye contact, especially in a one-on-one situation. One therapist I went to said "Aspies usually have trouble with eye contact but you don't seem to have that." That's when I looked up from my notebook and demonstrated my death stare for her and explained further that whatever other eye contact I was doing was learned and conscious behavior. She responded with "Hmmmm....I see."
_________________
Your neurodiverse (Aspie) score: 120 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 74 of 200
You are very likely neurodiverse (Aspie)
AQ = 38 MBTI = ISTJ Gender = Non-binary
I strive not to perseverate. You can PM me for more info.
<- PHD in Sarcasm.
Not calling you an idiot, i'm calling this an idiot question that is asked too often, and should be put in a FAQ. I'm just tired of the lack of understanding from autistics that they are not the center of the universe.
The only thing you and i have in common is the diagnostic criteria:
https://iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/ ... s_syndrome
* Eye contact problems is common in autism, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
* Alexithymia is also common, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
* Face blindness i've heard of on these forums, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
* Stimming is common in autism, but everyone does not have problems with it. It is not part of the diagnosis.
Seeing a pattern yet?
People probably ask about these symptoms a lot because they are some of the ones that make us most obviously different from neurotypical people. Even if it were put in an FAQ that wouldn't necessarily stop people from asking about it, especially since these symptoms can still look very different depending on the individual. I, for example, dislike eye contact but I have trained myself to do it because I know it's expected.
There are no bad questions, only impatient responders.
Difficulty with eye contact is a hallmark of Autism, but no it's not everyone.
I don't have a problem with eye contact. Which is why I had to make https://wrongplanet.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=373707 to ask my own question about it.
I have been told "you have crazy eye contact" before. I believe they ment I made intense eye contact, not that I was crazy lol That is undoubtedly due to my vision impairment though.
_________________
"Inside the heart of each and every one of us there is a longing to be understood by someone who really cares. When a person is understood, he or she can put up with almost anything in the world."
Similar Topics | |
---|---|
Are a portion of people on the autism spectrum asexual? |
20 Apr 2024, 8:32 am |
Poor Things is a male take on feminism |
10 Apr 2024, 2:27 pm |
Poor level of suppourt in college |
12 Mar 2024, 7:52 am |
Unsure about going non-contact with my mum |
29 Feb 2024, 6:34 am |