18 Clear Signs Your Child May Be on the Autism Spectrum

2. Limited Eye Contact

Limited eye contact is one of many behavioral cues that indicate an individual may have autism. That said, not making eye contact isn't always an indication of autism. Lack of eye contact also doesn't mean the individual isn't paying attention to their environment or engaged with the world around them. The reasoning behind limited eye contact hasn't been conclusively proven, but individuals with autism have described various reasons. It may be difficult for the affected individual to focus on another's eyes and spoken words simultaneously. It's also possible eye contact is a learned social behavior children with autism don't pick up on. Many children and adults with this condition feel like they gather more about someone by watching their hands or eyes. Eye contact also has the potential to be an overwhelming and intense experience that causes sensory issues. For all of these reasons, individuals with autism may prefer not to make eye contact, but that doesn't mean they aren't interested in communicating.