We’re honoring Autism Acceptance by publishing April Accommodations—meaning adjustments that other people can do for the autistic people in their lives. (For the flipside, as in things that make life harder for autistics, please see our Autism Checklist of Doom.) Today we are talking with Ira Eidle, who wants people to stop demanding that he make eye contact.
What is a small switch in behavior other people can make, to ease your life as an autistic person?
Let me not make eye contact if I choose not to.
How will this accommodation make your life easier?
It will make my life easier because it takes less energy for me to not do it than to do it or even approximate it. I am engaged in a conversation even if I look distracted.
What is one thing that brings you joy?
Cute animals bring me plenty of joy!
