Eye Contact

[chaoticidealism]

When it comes to making eye contact, there's one hang-up that often needs to be taken into account. Autistic brains like ours have a hard time multi-tasking; and that means that when I look someone in the eye, I often can't concentrate very well on what they are saying. That's a problem--I care about what they're saying and I want to listen to it

Comments

[gremy]

[anonymous]

Eye contact creeps me out. It's not so much distracting as I feel awkward--I feel like I'm being examined. Some people I'm fine with (took a while to get comfortable with looking my husband in the eyes, and young kids and animals don't bother me), but even so it's not a habit.

[anonymous]

I think that I understand. I often tell people that I think and feel in the abstract and if they bare with me, I will find my way back to the point of a discussion. Accepting that I speak in non-sequitur also has helped in conversations with people I interact with regularly, like in school.

Don't know how it is with intimate relationship. I have been at odds with Nebraska almost since I have arrived, so if that sample is representative, then I guess I am not doing well! Que sera..!

Mark

[tamerterra]

I tend to watch people's lips - it has the benefit of giving me even more information about what sounds they're making if I'm having a trouble-processing-sounds day.

My eye contact

[ext_793981]

I have been trying to pay attention to my eye contact that last few months to see how I do with it and have observed that I rarely make eye contact when I am speaking, especially if I am sharing a story or answering a question that requires me to think.

I actually do better with it when I am listening to someone, although if I start thinking about it, I can become distracted by their eyes or their face and miss part of what they are saying!