Eye Contact in Children with Autism: Unveiling the Impact through Data and Insights
The two main developmental difficulties that autistic children frequently face are eye contact and speech. Eye Contact In Children With Autism is important since it shows that our child communicates with you and feels connected. Also, our child will learn and communicate more as she or he grows.
"Why is it so hard for our kid to look us in the eye? What can we do to promote this crucial social skill, and what shouldn't we do?”
Read on if you have thoughts like the ones mentioned above.
The two main developmental difficulties that an autistic child frequently encounters are eye contact and speech.
As a sign that your child is communicating and connecting with you, eye contact is crucial.
Also, we are aware that making eye contact with someone might help them express interest and focus. Also, it's crucial to express interest in interacting socially with someone. Of course, others may interpret a lack of eye contact as showing interest or inattention.
The tendency for sufferers of autism spectrum disorder to avoid eye contact is one of the disorder's defining indications and symptoms. Even when the person is a baby, this behavior manifests. They don't make eye contact while they are young.
Many autistic individuals report feeling uncomfortable and stressed when making eye contact.
They contend that it is difficult for them to convey their feelings of anxiousness since it is not natural for them to do so. The research investigated the behavior's origin to ascertain whether social delays or the experience itself is to blame.
The researchers found that those with autism spectrum disorders have aberrant activation of the subcortical system, a region of the brain that is stimulated by eye contact.
This region of the brain is in charge of causing babies' innate attraction to faces or assisting them in turning toward faces they recognize.
Autism spectrum disorders frequently prevent other kids from initiating eye contact. They do not have the same social motivation as kids with regular development.
Moreover, several social cues may overload autistic children. They might not be able to maintain simultaneous attention on spoken language and other people's eyes.
Autism-related children might not be able to read social clues from someone's eyes. They could be unable to comprehend that observing someone's eye could potentially reveal information.
As a result, eye contact can be extremely strong and sensory-overwhelming. People might shun the practice if they feel overburdened and anxious.
In summary, kids with autism in general
- Don’t have the social motivation to make eye contact,
- Find it challenging to pay attention to both spoken words and another person's eyes,
- May not understand the information that can be obtained from looking at eyes,
- May be overwhelmed by the intense sensory experience.
There are three quick and simple ways to make eye contact:
- Consistently place yourself at or below your child's eye level. This makes it easier to look at you and less taxing on the eyes.
- When you give your child an object, hold it to your eyes, so that he must reach out and grab it. You are right there, behind the object!
- Whenever your child does look at you, celebrate him/her for it! Tell them how much you appreciate them looking.
Most people take it for granted that we make eye contact when we communicate. Making eye contact in social circumstances, however, can be challenging for certain autistic children. These 7 techniques will enable you to assist your youngster in developing eye contact:
1. During Meals
When you have a mouthful of food ready for a baby who is at least five to eight months old, attract their attention and raise the spoon to their line of vision. As your eyes connect, smile and coo while guiding the spoon into your child's mouth. Wait until your eyes are level before giving food or a cup to toddlers and young children.
2. During Play
There are numerous ways to utilize play to encourage your child to make more eye contact. Play peek-a-boo with young toddlers to improve making and receiving eye contact. When your eyes meet, reinforce the moment with a smile, tickle, laugh, hug, squeeze, funny face, funny sound, or anything else your child enjoys.
Do activities where you make a face, your child imitates it, and so on to practice facial mimicry.
3. During Conversations
Say your child's name and wait till he glances at you to gain his or her attention. If he is clutching a toy in his hands and is not looking at you, get closer to him and gently put your hands on top of his to break up his focus. Once more, calling his name, wait for him to turn to face you.
In addition to teaching the words "please" and "thank you," emphasize eye contact. When your child says hello, goodbye, please, thank you, or "I love you," as well as when he asks for something, responds to a question, or has something to say, teach him to look the other person in the eye. As you read books, recite nursery rhymes, or sing songs, encourage and strengthen eye contact.
4. When Your Child Is Requesting Something
When your child requests a toy or food, wait until you make eye contact with them before giving them what they want. As he stares at the object and you, you can hold it in front of your eyes and offer him the toy.
5. Modeling Eye Contact
When talking to your youngster, keep your eyes on them. When we are staring at our phone or laptop, it's easy to forget this.
6. How to Promote Eye Contact
You can use phrases like "Tell my eyes," "I can't see your beautiful eyes," "Look at me," or "Over here" to get your child's attention when he fails to make eye contact when it is appropriate. You can also gently touch his chin, gesture towards your eyes, hold a favorite object in front of your eyes, or lightly touch his chin.
I will explain to an older child that they are "sending their voice to the wall/floor/etc." if they are talking to me while turning their head away. They often utilize this as a subliminal reminder to look at you while they speak.
7. How to Reinforce Eye Contact
By smiling, nodding, or using phrases like "I love how you look at me when I talk to you," you can get him to look at you when you speak to him. Thank you for looking at me, that was wonderful, and those are some amazing brown eyes you have! Also, when you give him what he asks for when he makes eye contact and begins the request, you are reinforcing him.
You may teach and practice making eye contact with your child in typical settings by being encouraging, patient, and smiling. It may be challenging to make eye contact without hesitating, but practice makes perfect.
Making friends at school, avoiding awkwardness and isolation in social situations, and succeeding in numerous interactions throughout life can all be facilitated by eye contact with your child.
