Locating the Speaker

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Hello. My autistic five-year-old sometimes seems to have difficulty locating me when I call to him in our small house. Does anyone have difficulty with this? Thanks!

Auditory Processing Disorder?

I was going to suggest that. I have APD but I don't experience that attribute of it, however it is common among people who have APD. You might make an appointment with an Audiologist and check it out.

I'd also get his ears checked. If one ear is not working properly, is plugged, or something, it will affect his ability to determine the direction sounds come from.

I don't have that problem, but my (HFA, undiagnosed) father does. He never knows where a sound is coming from.

Why do you think that? Perhaps he/she just does not turn towards you but that does not mean that they did not locate you.

I understand it is somewhat common not to turn towards the speaker. I still have my ears ringing because my teacher used to yell at me: "look at me when I am speaking to you."

Since many Aspies and others on the ASD prefer to avoid eye contact, perhaps the lack of orientation to your voice is a way to avoid the eye contact issue. Of course, auditory testing is the place to start. Always eliminate organic causes when examining these kinds of behaviors. I had ear infections as a small child, which compounded with my AS left me completely inattentive to other children or adults. Even now as an adult I prefer to avoid eye contact, and don't feel compelled to look at someone calls my name.