Eye Contact?

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Hey,

I have AS and was wondering why I have such trouble with Eye contact? What makes it so hard to look other people in the eye for more than a few seconds?

Thanks, Parrotnut

For myself, it just feels too intrusive and it feels like the person can see your most innermost thoughts. For others it is an extreme distraction; they find themselves not able to process what the person is saying while looking in their eyes.

For me, the avoidance of eye contact is for two reasons/situations:
- the avoidance of contact in general (if you don't attract their attention, they'll leave you alone)
- to concentrate on what the other is saying (visual information distorts audible information)

That is my main reason.
My second is that making eye contact feels too intimate to me to make with most people.

Sorry. Double post.

Ive definately improved my skill in eye contact although the feeling is still umpleasant

I have lots of trouble with eye contact. I make an effort with people that I have a close relationship with.

I have this problem too but i force myself to make eye contact when someone talks to me and me and my bf have staring contests too which helps. (we both has AS)

well it sorta seems like people are fighting for dominance when looking people in the eyes.though thats not the whole reason i avoid eye contact i just don't know how to explain it more. the words just don't come to me.

Exactly, I can see mouths opening, yet I can't comprehend at all what the other person is saying if I watch them straight in the eyes. Also, it gets overbearing at times, especially if I see others staring - like being exposed to a laser beam, really uncomfortable and piercing.

I reckon it's due to sensory overload - my brain can't process efficiently video and audio input at the same time.

I guess the processing thing applies to me as well because I'm so busy thinking how uncomfortable it makes me feel and when do I get to stop that it's hard to concentrate on what the other person is saying. I can do it but never unconsciously.

In my opinion, it's just not an "automatic" thing for most people with Asperger's - It's hard to focus on eye contact when you're listening to someone talk or talking to them. Neurotypical people don't have to worry about this because they usually look people in the eye without thinking about it.

I'm not entirely sure why some people with AS have such problems with eye contact. For me, it causes an overwhelming sense of discomfort and anxiety. If people try to make eye contact with me, I lose my train of thought and start to trip over my words. When people talk to me, I tend to just look away (over their shoulder, down at my hands, etc.) and glance back very, very briefly every once in a while (so they know I'm at least trying to listen).

Its not too bad for me but when people look at me I feel a little awkward. My eyes also like to wonder around. I got in trouble for that once on my bus because a girl thought I was looking at her butt.

Pretty much my main reason as well. Along with that it feels like the person is expecting something from me, if that makes sense.

I feel the same way at times. I end up looking away very quickly.