I have found by way of two of my girls being on the opposite ends of the spectrum that they share allot of the sensory issues, sometimes eye contact is a social issue for our kids but sometimes it is from a visual sensory issue

My daughter still avoids eye contact.. she's 17

I agree. I believe all kids on the Spectrum start out avoiding eye contact. My oldest daughter who has Asperger's did so when she was very young but grew out of it

Arrissa can use eye contact if she chooses. Usually kids find it creepy for her to stare so she prefers not to make eye contact unless asked.

I think it's characteristic of a lot of children and adults on the spectrum to avoid eye contact. Ethan's eye contact has improved dramatically since he was younger. It went from almost non existent to being pretty consistent now, at least for a very short time span. Sometimes I have to remind him to "look at mommy" but it's nowhere near as lacking as it used to be