Hello everyone and Happy New Year! First and foremost, we would like to thank each and every one of you for your subscriptions. Your support means the world to us, and we truly appreciate it! In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing a topic that has sparked a lot of curiosity: "Autism eyes"—and whether someone can be diagnosed exclusively by looking into their eyes. There’s a common misconception that simply by looking at someone’s eyes, one can determine if they are autistic. While eyes do communicate a lot about our emotions, reactions, and state of mind, we dive into whether it’s possible or accurate to diagnose autism based solely on this. We unpack what the eyes can tell us and explore the details of this. For many neurodivergents, including those on the autism spectrum, masking in social situations is a common coping mechanism. This often happens because of the desire to fit in and be accepted by society. Through the eyes, however, we can sometimes catch glimpses of when someone is feeling overwhelmed or anxious. In this episode, we’ll explore the connection between eye behavior and emotional states in neurodivergent individuals. Additionally, we’ll talk about the common signs and symptoms of autism, and offer advice on how loved ones can be more supportive—whether someone is diagnosed or may be seeking a diagnosis. We cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support. We love reading your comments and questions, and we’d be thrilled to hear your thoughts. If there’s a topic you’d like us to discuss in future episodes, please don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below. If you’ve been enjoying our episodes, we’d be so grateful if you’d share this one with anyone who might find it helpful or interesting. And don’t forget to follow us on all platforms at: @neurodivergentstruggles