I’m still on my journey of understanding the differences between autism and other. My focus today is eye contact, so let’s have a discussion!

Guiding questions:

  • What do you think is the underlying difference that causes autistic people to use less eye contact than others?

  • What does it feel like for you?

  • How do you interpret other people’s eye contact?

  • Do you avoid it, use short glances, or maintain NT-levels of eye contact?

  • Does it vary by situation?

  • Anything else you would like to discuss regarding eye contact?

Question is open to anyone. If not identified, then the assumption is the user is autistic. Otherwise, if you’re NT or other ND, please state so 🙂

  • RozaŭtunoEnglish
    3•6 months ago

    What do you think is the underlying difference that causes autistic people to use less eye contact than others?

    At least for me, it’s just that it makes me uncomfortable, simple as that.

    How do you interpret other people’s eye contact?

    Like an invasion of personal space. If I’m not intimate enough to be hugging you, I certainly don’t want us to stare at each other’s eyeballs.

    Do you avoid it, use short glances, or maintain NT-levels of eye contact?

    Yes, I avoid it as much as possible. If I’m forced to interact with some asshole that demands to be stared at in the eye, I try using tricks like looking at a point behind their ears.

    Does it vary by situation?

    Yes, as I said, it depends on intimacy. The less familiar I’m with someone the less I’m comfortable with eye contact.