A thoughtful, developmentally informed exploration of early social attention in autistic children, challenging common assumptions about social interest and engagement.
In Episode 15 of The William Gomes Podcast, “Early Social Attention – How Autistic Development Begins Differently,”William Gomes examines how autistic children orient toward people and the social world from a very early age. Rather than viewing differences in eye contact, joint attention, or gesture use as deficits, the episode explains how these patterns reflect distinct developmental pathways that unfold at their own pace.
Understanding Early Social Attention
The discussion explores early markers of social attention, including how autistic children may attend to faces, voices, and shared activities in ways that differ from neurotypical expectations. Gomes emphasises that these differences do not indicate a lack of interest in people, but rather alternative ways of engaging, processing, and responding to social information.
Seeing Development From the Child’s Perspective
A central theme of the episode is the importance of understanding development from the child’s perspective. By recognising that autistic social engagement may look different rather than absent, parents and professionals can avoid misinterpretation and reduce unnecessary pressure during early childhood.
The episode also highlights why early comparisons with typical developmental timelines can be misleading, and how a more patient, attuned approach supports emotional safety and healthy development. Gomes encourages listeners to value responsiveness, curiosity, and connection over compliance with normative milestones.
Part of a Wider Autism Series
Warm, accessible, and grounded in developmental understanding, this episode is designed for parents, educators, and clinicians seeking a more compassionate and accurate view of early autistic development. It forms part of a wider podcast series focused on autism, neurodiversity, and child wellbeing.
Listen to Episode 15
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-william-gomes-podcast/id1582677051?i=1000743028427
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ZsRYvYAfFz4jTOoJ0nDw5?si=92b4e3875f78419e
YouTube
https://youtu.be/-qhX_UNk_G0?si=34zykYexa2h3ZV47
The William Gomes Podcast is an independent podcast series exploring autism and child development through evidence-informed, compassionate conversations designed to support families, educators, and professionals.
