What aspect of social communication is often impaired in individuals with ASD?

The ability to maintain eye contact is a critical aspect of social communication that is often impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eye contact plays a significant role in social interactions as it helps convey engagement, understanding, and emotional responses. Individuals with ASD may find maintaining eye contact uncomfortable or may avoid it altogether, which can lead to challenges in connecting with others and interpreting social cues. This impairment in eye contact can affect the dynamics of communication and may lead to misunderstandings in social relationships, emphasizing the importance of eye contact in effective social engagement.

Each of the other options addresses different aspects of communication or cognitive function. For instance, while processing complex sentences and reading body language are also areas that can be challenging for individuals with ASD, they are not as universally recognized as a characteristic impairment as the difficulty with maintaining eye contact. Memorizing facts, while potentially a strength for some individuals on the spectrum, does not directly pertain to the nuances of social communication. Understanding the role of eye contact can help individuals and caregivers work toward improving social skills and fostering better interactions.