Why does DS cup/cover one eye?

[Barmymummy]

I have seen this mentioned several times by other people saying that their DC covers up one eye.

My DS does this occasionally but definately when he meets up with a friend and doesn't know what to say/do. Why do they do this? I don't understand what it helps them to do....

[jabberwocky]

One possible reason kids do it in general is that binocular vision is a higher demand on the sensory system. By covering one eye or looking sideways the child reduces their vision to monocular and decreases the stress on his/her system.

As far as why he does it when he meets up with a friend, perhaps it's a response to being generally overwhelmed sensory-wise?

[Widemouthfrog]

It may be because it restricts his field of vision, and cuts down visual information. Too much visual info may be overloading if he is trying to focus on a face.

My Ds pulls his cap over his eyes or twists his hand across his vision for the same reason i think - especially in visually 'busy' places.

[mysonben]

Not too sure but my ds does it too , like when he watches tv , or looks at someone when he is asked a question or when he is put on the spot socially iykwim. He will cup/kind of circle one of his eye with his fingers and often do a sort of half grin only on one side with his mouth, quite strange!
Maybe that's his way of dealing with a visual perception problem or simply because he doesn't feel confident to look fully at the person.

[mysonben]

Widemouthfrog- ds pulls his cap lowdown onto his face too,...he also likes to wear his bike helmet for hours on end inside and out.