Why Many Autistic People Struggle with Eye Contact

Many autistic people find eye contact uncomfortable and actively avoid it. I recently received a question from a blog reader asking how I feel when someone makes eye contact with me, and in this post, I’ll answer that, as well as explain why eye contact can be so challenging for many autistic individuals.

Eye Contact and Stress

Research suggests that prolonged eye contact can even be threatening to neurotypical people, and for autistic people, even brief eye contact can be very stressful. Nouchine Hadjikhani, at the Gillberg Centre, points out that a study demonstrated this by showing unusual activation in the threat system of autistic participants when they were asked to focus on the eye region – even when looking at happy faces!

The Brain and Eye Contact

I’ve written before about research suggesting that differences in the brain may explain why autistic people have different patterns of eye contact. One study, conducted on monkeys, found that stimulating the orbital cortex actually increased their tendency to maintain eye contact. It’s fascinating to think that brain stimulation can influence this behavior.

Difficulty with Simultaneous Processing

Nouchine Hadjikhani also notes that many autistic people struggle to listen and make eye contact at the same time – and that’s definitely true for me. Looking someone in the eye doesn’t come naturally, though I can do it if I try. It’s just that it’s much harder to process what’s being said when I’m also focusing on making eye contact. I’ve always suspected this is related to a limited capacity for simultaneous processing; registering visual information takes up so much energy that it leaves less for listening. I generally find it easier to process information when I can read it, and if I do have to listen, I really prefer not to have to make eye contact, as it quickly drains my energy.

It Doesn’t Bother Me, But Everyone’s Different…

To answer the reader’s question, I personally don’t find eye contact unpleasant. It’s interesting that I don’t experience it as stressful like some other autistic people do, but as with everything, everyone is different! I really don’t mind if someone makes eye contact with me, although I might occasionally feel pressure to reciprocate, and that can be a little stressful.

Let Autistic People Decide

I believe autistic people should be asked if they find eye contact stressful, allowing them to decide whether or not they’re comfortable with it. I understand it’s not always practical for people in everyday situations to remember not to make eye contact – it might even be draining for neurotypical people. However, professionals, such as care assistants and support workers, should be more mindful. Ultimately, an autistic person should never be forced to practice eye contact if they don’t want to. Any practice should be entirely on their terms and motivated by their own benefit, not by a desire to please others.

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