Asperger Syndrome - Eye Contact?

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As to give a breif and legitimate introduction to this topic, I had been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome back in 2001, then nine years old, by a licensed Psychologist. However, upon reading about Asperger's I had read a context that had mentioned those affected with Asperger's and their frequent difficulties in maintaining sufficient eye contact with another person. I, however, have seldom experienced any difficulty with this. Albeit when I hear someone talking on behalf of me, I will immediately by instinct maintain eye contact with them, unless I am ignoring them for whatever reason. (Which I usually do not, as I find it rather rude to ignore others.) Last semester in my previous school, I had associated with another girl with Asperger's. She did not make eye contact frequently, from my observations. Despite the contrary I did find we had an abundance in common together, and we talked during school break and lunch hours, and we had built a fine friendship together. Anyhow, I commemorate a specific conversation about her having difficulties with eye contact (at this time, she knew I also had Asperger Syndrome). And with my reply, I had stated that was not a problem for me, as had I found it socially appropriate as to make eye contact with another person communicating with me. She was without reservation flabbergasted the moment I had informed her. Stating that a majority of those with Asperger's experience intricacy with eye contact. So is it unorthodox that I haven't had any problems maintaining eye contact with others? If there is anyone else with this same situation I would be interested, and would be appealed as to know those who are here and their stories with making eye contact. Just a thought that came up that would start an interesting topic.

Last edited by CaptainShenaniganz on 03 Sep 2010, 9:41 am, edited 6 times in total.

*sigh*

People with AS have difficulty mantaining eye contact. Some moreso than others.

I don't make eye contact with people I'm not comfortable with. I can force myself, but then I can't think straight. I can either articulate a thought, or I can look you in the eye: choose wisely.

I'm fine with eye contact dealing with folks I'm familiar with and/or comfortable talking to.

--XFG

Well put. Ditto.

I've never been actively averse to making eye contact like some people here are, but at the same time it is something I don't do naturally. I do remind myself to occasionally glance up and make eye contact during a conversation just so the other person knows I'm paying attention, unless it's someone I've known for a while who is used to me making less eye contact than normal. The reason I don't do it for friends is when I'm thinking about eye contact and showing people I'm paying attention, I'm actually not paying attention because I'm no longer focused on what they're saying.

If it's during an interview or something like I had recently (and apparently did extremely well with), when I'm not doing eye contact I make sure to do other listening cues, and I also make eye contact every time I start an answer. Hopefully over time it will become more natural so I don't have to put so much thought to it.

According to myth, there are two types of people with Asperger's: those who have difficulties with making and maintaining eye contact, and those who stare fixedly into other people's eyes, during conversation. As the poll only looks at whether (and not how) people make eye contact, it ignores the latter category.

I tend to watch eye everything. I give brief eye contact, I don't like locking onto people's eyes, and then I stare at their body and their body langauge. Are they defensive, etc. I watch for micro expressions and everything not very good at it. But I don't like talking to liars.

Eye contact just feels to creepy. I never actually understood the whole look into a person's eyes when they are talking. I mean, its suppose to engage that we're listening?
Shouldn't head movements shaking your head yes or no signal you're listening?

Not every person expresses autism the exact same way. I guess the OP is just unusual in that respect.

There are probably unusually not-autistic traits in just about every autistic person. For example, I have very little problem with taste/texture sensitivity, and can eat just about anything, including things that some NTs don't like, such as sushi, bitter foods (dark chocolate, coffee), Chinese and Indian food, or odd textures like celery and edible paper. I'm not hyposensitive, either, because I can taste subtle differences between coffee brands or regular and diet soda. So that's my unusually-not-autistic trait.

I think there was a topic like this--something like, "Something about you that's NOT Aspie"... or something. It had a lot of replies.

Yes, the other category is missing. I was actually bullied as a kid with forced eye contact, but I soon learned not to be bothered with it. I win any staring contests these days. Longest one lasted for 4.5 minutes, and I won.

However, when making eye contact it's not a communicative gesture, and that's what counts.