Autism and Eye Contact Avoidance

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a lack of eye contact is among the most common signs of autism. This symptom can be observed at any age, from infancy to adulthood. Eye contact is an important component of nonverbal communication, and with consistent behavioral interventions, children with autism can become more comfortable with making and maintaining eye contact.

Limited Eye Contact in Babies

Many babies may begin making eye contact but then lose interest in eye contact between the ages of two to six months. This lack of eye contact could be an indicator, however multiple symptoms need to be observed to warrant concerns of autism. Some other signs to watch for include limited babbling, not responding to their name, and lack of smiling or pointing.

In addition, many babies who display some of these developmental delays that could point to autism catch up to their peers developmentally by around the age of two years old. Pediatricians typically screen for autism at 18-month and 24-month wellness visits.

Eye Contact into Later Childhood

Issues with eye contact often progress with age. Children with autism may reject cooperative play and tend to play alone. They may struggle with verbal and nonverbal communication and with social interactions in general. In adolescence and even into adulthood, individuals with autism may avoid stressful situations that involve eye contact.

Therapy for Non-Verbal Communication and Eye Contact

Research into autism has revealed a suspected neurological element that makes eye contact so unpleasant for children with autism. For this reason, it is not advisable to attempt to force your child to look you or anyone else in the eye. Instead, therapy such as Applied Behavior Analysis therapy (ABA) can be successful for most individuals with autism. An ABA therapist can, over time, encourage and improve eye contact. Speech and language therapy can also help a child to build nonverbal and verbal communication skills.

Though it is certainly uncomfortable and difficult for many people with autism to make eye contact, therapy can improve this ability. In turn, increased eye contact can better one’s chances at making friends, getting jobs, and overall having a better quality of life.

Positive Reinforcement not only offers in home ABA therapy for North Virginia, West Virginia,  Kentucky  including cities like Ashburn, Leesburg, Winchester, Richmond, Centerville.