Being Watched

I don't know about research but one to one on video calls feels worse than face to face. 

When I started working from home I found it difficult with the laptop so got a screen and keyboard. The screen doesn't have a camera so I have my laptop open behind but to the side. When I come on screen I can only be seen if I move to the side and I am then also a distance away which helps. When I am in group meeting a few of us remove the video so you just see our names or still pictures.

I manage to get away with just using a microphone during Teams or Zoom meetings (at home I have a desktop pc (rather than a laptop) which has no webcam but I have a cheap microphone which I use). 

Does anyone know if there has been any research into the difficulty with eye contact that many people on the Autistic spectrum experience, is less if using video calls as opposed to face-to-face meetings?

That’s exactly how I feel, thank you for the reply 

Thanks, great tip 

I find video calls difficult. I agree with looking at somewhere at the edge of the screen otherwise I think I stare. It is the same in a room with a speaker. I tend to look at something like someone's tie so I don't stare People have asked me what I am looking at when I am talking. It's because I don't know how to do eye contact.

Then about people looking at me. If I walk into a room full of people I feel hot and uncomfortable as I feel they are all looking. Then if I need to choose somewhere to sit either sit on my own and feel awkwardly and uptight or go somewhere with someone and worry that they may be waiting for someone else or wonder about what to say in conversation. 

I often feel the same.

For video calls - one bit of helpful advice I was give is to look at the camera at the top/above your screen. This a) gives the impression of eye contact, and b) removes much of the focus on the other people on your screen. Hope this helps!

I was a lot like that when I was younger. Sounds a bit like social anxiety, with the judging.

But I’ve always hated being on camera, having my photos taken, or being on video call. Ugh!