Autism – The Double Empathy Problem Explained

The double empathy problem regarding autism is an interesting perspective introduced in a 2012 paper by Milton. So, what is double empathy, and why does it matter for autistic people? In this video, I explore research and information regarding the double empathy problem and why it is important to understand autistic and non-autistic communication and interaction. I share some of my examples and experiences, and I help to interpret more confusing academic language into understandable, yet still accurate and detailed, language for the average person looking to understand more.

Autistic and Allistic Communication Styles (Double Empathy)

The double empathy problem suggests that both autistic and allistic communication styles are valid. When used with someone of the same neurotype, both yield high accuracy rates. The challenge is when one neurotype (typically autistic) attempts to communicate consistently with another neurotype (typically allistic). This is when misunderstandings occur. In this video, I discuss autistic and allistic communication differences related to double empathy.