Eye contact can be very uncomfortable for Braylee and for many others out in the world. If she is forced to make eye contact, she will attempt escape and will be less likely to be attentive and understand what is being said. Eye contact causes her anxiety. Eye contact is never expected and we will never force it.

I google searched “is eye contact important?” This is the first thing that pops up…
“Eye contact is a type of body language that is extremely important during communication and conversation. Sometimes, our eyes and body language speak even more than words. Keeping eye contact with the person you are talking to shows that you are actively listening and paying attention.”

This needs to change! This is the definition of ableism! Eye contact is not required! This is a social “rule” that effectively says, because you cannot make and keep eye contact, you are rude and our conversation is not valid. This is one of the reasons socializing is tough for Braylee. So many are taught at an early age, if someone does not give you eye contact, they are not paying attention to you or listening to you. This is not true and this needs to change.

How can this change? By talking about it and sharing about it whenever possible. Spreading the message that eye contact is not necessary. Eyes are not ears.