Most days I share an inspirational selfie.

In the process of taking today’s selfie, I realized that my eyes were not focused.

One of the most commonly known traits that signify being autistic is the lack of eye contact.

Until I was well into adulthood, I was not exempt from this trait.

In fact, growing up, it was a continuous struggle.

I was often reminded of this by being “forced” to make eye contact with others. A practice that is now vehemently discouraged in the modern world.

None the less I many times completed out of fear of retaliation by authority figures.

Eventually, as I became more comfortable being able to communicate fluently and effectively, eye contact had become natural.

I will admit that at times I needed to be reminded to do so, but eventually as I became more socially fluent, eye contact became more natural for me.

Nonetheless, I feel that whenever an autistic person struggles with eye contact, that I feel that forcing it to be done in ways causes many effects and should be discouraged.

As eye contact has become natural for me as has many things, it is wise that patience and understanding is given as everyone picks up on nuances such as eye contact in their very own ways.

If it is something that is desired, it will happen