this post was submitted on 18 May 2024
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Autism

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A community for respectful discussion and memes related to autism acceptance. All neurotypes are welcome.

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How do you experience eye contact? (lemmy.world)
submitted 6 months ago by BackOnMyBS@lemmy.world to c/autism@lemmy.world
26 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I'm still on my journey of understanding the differences between autism and other. My focus today is eye contact, so let's have a discussion!

Guiding questions:

  • What do you think is the underlying difference that causes autistic people to use less eye contact than others?

  • What does it feel like for you?

  • How do you interpret other people's eye contact?

  • Do you avoid it, use short glances, or maintain NT-levels of eye contact?

  • Does it vary by situation?

  • Anything else you would like to discuss regarding eye contact?

Question is open to anyone. If not identified, then the assumption is the user is autistic. Otherwise, if you're NT or other ND, please state so ๐Ÿ™‚

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[โ€“] MrPoopyButthole@lemmy.world 9 points 6 months ago

Diagnosed as ADHD but definitely have more going on.

When I was a kid I would look down when walking. When I tried to do eye contact it was very difficult and I would feel overwhelmed and my eyes would even start watering up and I would get some other physiological symptoms like coughing or running nose.

As an adult I have overcome this and I now am the opposite. I stare too much and I don't look away. I bore right into peoples minds and even though I know it can be disconcerting for others, I do it anyway and I don't really care. I'm not sure why I do this, but it might be part defense mechanism and part desire for connection and understanding.

Most others soon realize that I don't obey social cues and they feel uncomfortable and distance themselves. But that works for me since I am introverted and somewhat antisocial. People say I am "intense".