Autism resource for eye contact

Eye Gaze animation, from face-cards: emotion expression flash cards and CD-ROM pack. See www.face-cards.com

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• autism
• Asperger's
• eye
• contact
• animation

[DunedinMultimedia]

Again, thanks to everyone who has watched the video, and for leaving such thoughtful and informative comments. It's clear from the responses, especially those from people on the autism spectrum, that eye contact can't be forced, or demanded by others. For more on this topic see our iPad app, iGaze.

[DunedinMultimedia]

Hello and thanks again for your interest. We have come back to this topic, and posted a new, improved animation

[DunedinMultimedia]

Many thanks for all your comments. The clip is from the Face-cards CD-ROM, where the faces appear (almost) life sized on the screen. Eye gaze is getting a lot of attention now from academics and other professionals, who are trying to assess what eye gaze is, whether people on the spectrum be encouraged or "trained" to do it, and so on. It's a hugely complex and controversial area, and science is a long way from explaining the phenomenon of eye gaze in both humans and animals. -Robert Clyde

[purplemutantas]

People on the autism spectrum should NOT be trained to make eye contract. Our neurology is not designed for eye contact. Making eye contact will raise anxiety levels and can cause headaches in some people. I understand that our society highly values eye contact. But, our society also highly values walking. But you wouldn't take my friend Dave's wheelchair away just because is capable of walking. We need to understand that some people have difficulties with some things and be ok with it.

[milofire]

People are too quik to label EVERYTHING as a disease nowadays. It is completely fine for humans to think, feel, and communicate in their own way. What may be uncomfortable for me, is not going to be the same for Jane or John, and likewise. Maybe 10 seconds of eye contact is awkward to John, and if you look at him for 10 seconds he will feel as though you are staring at him. It is a real personal, subjective matter. It breaks my heart to know children all around the world, mostly in the usa

[RUSSKAYAG]

@gingerobyn there is no evidence of that, as there is no cure nor proof of cause..there are vaccines too. no proof that they are not causing it. just like depression- doctors try to kill it with pills! stupid fools..one has to cure the root of the problem, not try to numb it with medicine lol of course i understand they are doing their prescriptions because they get paid! everyone knows that but yet everyone keeps swallowing those pills.. go figure...

[gingerobyn]

@RUSSKAYAG Parents' stress or state of mind does not cause autism!

[wendila]

I remember I was 14 when I was diagnosed with Asperger's and all the adults started forcing me to start making eye contact. My therapist wouldn't even let me talk at all unless I was looking at her in the eye. People told me that to make it less uncomfortable I should look at the bridge of their nose or somewhere in that general direction. Now, after 5 years, I can't not look someone in the eye when conversing, and it makes the other person feel very uncomfortable because I try not to blink. 8|

[misspinkpunkykat]

Eye contact was always a sign of a threat or challange to me. I only make eye contact with people when I am trying to be intimadating. In many Asian cultures, it's considered rude to look people in the eye. This whole "eye contact" thing is a western thing.

[bleedingbanshe13]

@Xethavosh Yes. But it's being treated like a disease, with the "cure" thing going around.

[spacedakini]

blink, blink, blink smile blink, blink, blink smile blink, blink, blink smile blink, blink, blink smile ... well, honestly, I rather focus on the communication. Because it is true contact. (diagnose with Asperger Syndome) 

[getoman229]

The bet

[Xethavosh]

@milofire Autism isn't labelled as a disease, it's labelled a disorder.

[RUSSKAYAG]

Children under 2 years old are very sensitive to their mother's/parents subconscious state. They pick up any stress, material desire, pride, fear and etc. from their mom. What are the consequences? Autism, depression, violence and etc later on. Change within, your inner impression of the world, accept self forgiveness, love and your children will get better. And stop vaccines before they are 2 years old. If you have to do them, descrease their quantity and do only basic ones after a child is 2..