Struggles with Mirror Reflection and Eye Contact in Autism: A Personal Insight

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can present a wide range of challenges, from communication difficulties to sensory sensitivities. One often underexplored aspect of the autism experience is the unique relationship individuals with autism have with their reflections and making eye contact with themselves. In this article, we delve into the personal experiences and struggles of those who recognize these issues within themselves, shedding light on the complexity of self-perception in autism.

Common Challenges

Many individuals with autism share similar challenges when it comes to looking at their own reflections and making eye contact with themselves. Below are some common experiences and feelings:

Indifference or Repulsion: Some individuals, as described in the original text, can feel indifferent or repulsed by their reflection. This distaste often stems from a failure to associate the image with their inner self. Physical Discomfort: For others, making eye contact with their own reflection can be physically painful. This discomfort can be both a result of heightened sensory sensitivities and a deep-seated emotional response. Distraction and Disorientation: Even when making eye contact, individuals with autism may experience overwhelming emotional energies and disturbances, making it difficult to maintain a sense of peace and stability. Aversion to Physical Attention: Due to a pervasive aversion to physical attention, individuals may also feel that looking at their own reflection is akin to being ogled or leered at.

Root Causes and Personal Experiences

The experiences of those with autism can be deeply rooted in their unique perspectives and sensory processing. Below are detailed accounts of personal struggles with mirror reflection and making eye contact, highlighting the complexities of self-perception in autism.

Indifference to Reflection

One individual states: ‘I hate looking in the mirror. I rarely look at my whole self nor do I really recognize it as me. I hate pictures of me as well. I know that it is me in the mirror or the picture, but it just doesn’t seem to be me—the person inside. I don’t know if it is autism or some kind of failure to associate myself with the image I am looking at. It just always seems that there is a stranger looking back at me.’

Physical Pain and Emotional Disturbance

Another individual describes a more visceral experience: ‘Making eye contact for me can be excruciating, feeling physical pain in some cases. Looking into someone’s eyes is indeed seeing beyond the physical, looking into the irrefutable truth of the person. This can be disturbing since no one knows what another has seen through those eyes and it can all be conveyed in a fraction of a second, surging overwhelming emotional energies and impressions sometimes representative visions into my mind at the forefront. Very disruptive of the peace I may have achieved at the time. In the case of me looking into my own eyes, I am not sure there will be no surprises. This is extremely disconcerting.’

Emotional Discomfort and Societal Implications

On a more emotional level, another individual expresses: ‘If you reader experience similar please write an answer too. My reflection is creepy to me. It’s not me and yet when I look into my own eyes I sometimes feel like I am overflowing, desperately striving to contain and to comprehend what lies within. It’s vast. Easy to get lost.’

Why These Struggles Are Unique to Autism

It is important to note that these challenges are not merely a symptom of discomfort, but rather a manifestation of the unique cognitive and emotional processes within individuals on the autism spectrum. While neurotypical (NT) individuals may not experience these issues, it does not invalidate the struggles faced by those with autism. In fact, this struggle can be a point of connection and understanding within the autism community, fostering empathy and solidarity.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex relationship with mirror reflection and making eye contact is crucial in appreciating the nuanced experiences of individuals with autism. These struggles highlight the depth of perception and emotional richness that can accompany the unique neurological processing found in autism. By sharing these personal stories and experiences, we can foster greater awareness and support within the autism community.