Which of the following disabilities is associated with avoidance of eye contact?

The avoidance of eye contact is often associated with autism, a developmental disorder characterized by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Individuals with autism may find direct eye contact uncomfortable or may not interpret social cues in the same way as their peers. This behavior can stem from sensory sensitivities or difficulties in processing social situations, leading them to avoid eye contact as a coping mechanism.

In contrast, while other conditions like Down syndrome, ADHD, and speech impairment may exhibit their own unique characteristics, they do not typically embody avoidance of eye contact as a defining feature. For instance, individuals with Down syndrome may engage in eye contact more readily, while those with ADHD might be more prone to distractibility than eye contact avoidance. Speech impairment primarily relates to difficulties with articulation or fluency and does not inherently involve eye contact issues. Therefore, the association of avoidance of eye contact with autism is well documented and is important for understanding the social communication differences in individuals on the autism spectrum.