Eye contact is more than a social courtesy — it’s a key part of how toddlers learn to read emotions and bond with caregivers. Many toddlers with autism struggle to:
- Maintain eye contact
- Follow someone’s gaze
- Share attention by looking at what you're pointing to
What some adults with autism will say..
- ‘It is too much to work to listen and look at the same time.’
- ‘It is a waste of time. I am still listening’ (If they are not able to read facial expressions of others, some adults with autism state that they don’t understand why they need to look at another person.)
- It is not a form of disrespect and asking your child to look at you or look at someone else as a form of respect is difficult for a person with autism. It is not a sign of disrespect.
This difficulty can hinder emotional connection and delay social learning. If your child avoids eye contact regularly, it may be worth pursuing autism spectrum disorder testing.
