The Trouble with Eye Contact

Some children who have autism might avoid eye contact more so than their neurotypical peers. This isn’t a symptom of their autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though, as not every child on the autism spectrum avoids eye contact.

The reason why children with autism make less eye contact than others is because of a condition called alexithymia. This term describes when a person has difficulty feeling their emotions.

Research has suggested that about half of all people on the autism spectrum have alexithymia, and about 10% of all people have it. New research from two years ago also revealed additional insights into why children with autism have difficulties with eye contact.

We’ll analyze this new study and discuss this in more depth below.

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What Does the New Study Say About Eye Contact?

Research scientists from the Yale University School of Medicine published a study in 2022 about why children with ASD often avoid eye contact.

They found that the dorsal parietal cortex, a part of the brain, shows less activity when a person with autism makes eye contact, compared to someone who doesn’t have ASD.

What the researchers said was that the more severe a person’s ASD was, the less their “brain lit up” when they attempted to maintain eye contact with someone else.

The study’s findings suggest that there may be a biological explanation for why children on the autism spectrum have difficulty maintaining eye contact.

What Role Does Eye Contact Play in an Autism Diagnosis?

Eye contact is a very important aspect of nonverbal communication. It shows the other person we’re talking to that we have interest in what they’re saying, and it also helps us better understand what they are saying based on how they are acting, not just what they are saying.

One of the diagnostic criteria for ASD is someone facing challenges with nonverbal communication. If a child exhibits challenges with maintaining and/or establishing eye contact, it could be a key indicator that they have autism.

If a child avoids eye contact, it’s not a direct sign that they have autism. Instead, it would just be used as one possible indicator that autism might be present.

A full, comprehensive assessment and evaluation would need to be done to determine whether a child was on the autism spectrum or not.

Should Children with Autism Be Taught to Establish Eye Contact?

The feedback on this topic is mixed among the autism community.

One one hand, eye contact is an important aspect of communication, as we discussed earlier. It shows that you are attentive to whoever you are talking to and that you are interested in what they have to say.

It also plays an important role in helping people pick up on other social cues, and then respond to them appropriately. If people are unable to make eye contact during conversations, it could come across as rude and make people think you are inattentive or disinterested.

On the other hand, you need to be careful with forcing certain behaviors on children with autism. It can actually encourage them to mask their symptoms, which is never a good thing, and it can even make them feel as if what they are doing is wrong or not “normal.”

That’s why mental health professionals, parents, caregivers and other people who interact with your child regularly need to strike a careful balance between forcing them to establish eye contact and encouraging the skill.

How Can Eye Contact Be Taught?

Like all other nonverbal communication, eye contact can be taught through applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy. This evidence- and science-based approach to learning and behavior works with children on a one-to-one basis to modify behaviors over time.

It uses positive reinforcement and repetition to teach these new skills, and to help children on the autism spectrum build the social, communication and daily life skills with which they often struggle.

Eye contact is something that can be worked into ABA therapy sessions, if it’s an issue that your child struggles with. The therapist will cater the treatment plan specifically to your child’s unique strengths and challenges so that it can be more successful in the end.

Blue Gems ABA Helps Children with Autism Grow

Children with autism often struggle with establishing and maintaining eye contact. They also face challenges with other forms of nonverbal communication from time to time.

At Blue Gems ABA, we have a team of therapists who work with children on the autism spectrum, helping them to build the skills they need to live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.

To learn more, please contact us today.