Reduced or absent eye contact is one of the most commonly noticed early signs of autism, but it is not diagnostic on its own — many neurotypical children also go through phases of limited eye contact. In autistic children, reduced eye contact is thought to reflect sensory sensitivity or social processing differences rather than disinterest. Forcing eye contact is not recommended; many autistic individuals report it as uncomfortable and distracting.
Why Does My Child Avoid Eye Contact? Reduced or absent eye contact in toddlers is one of the first signs parents notice and one of the first questions they bring to their pediatrician. It is also one of the most widely misunderstood. Eye contact avoidance does not automatically indicate autism, and the presence or absence of eye contact alone is not a diagnostic criterion. What clinicians look for is something more specific: whether the child uses eye contact as a social tool. In particular, whe
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