The Double Empathy Problem

Overview

The Theory of the Double Empathy Problem, was developed by Autistic researcher, Dr. Damian Milton. This theory recognizes that communication gaps experienced between Autistics and Non-Autistics are not due to an inherent flaw in Autistic communication or a lack of Autistic empathy; instead, miscommunication occurs because these two groups experience the world in very different ways. (Milton, 2012, Rose et al., 2022) Moreover, because Autistics are part of a neurominority, there is a power imbalance which has resulted in the historical pathologization of Autistics by the Non-Autistic neuromajority who dictates what is acceptable and what is not.(Milton, 2012, 2016)

Double Empathy Problem Infographic by Autistic Girls' Network

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What is double empathy and why does it matter for autistic people?

Autistic Occupational Therapist and content creator, Stephanie Bethel, helps to interpret the Double Empathy problem with concrete examples and more accessible language. https://www.stephaniebethany.com/blog

The Double Empathy Problem Autism has been defined as a deficit in ‘theory of mind.’ and ... "when applied to the education of those diagnosed becomes a ‘treatment program’ of modifying the ‘autistic person’ as ‘best one can’ to fit in with the mainstream culture of society.” The Double Empathy Problem (DEP) refers to a “disjuncture in reciprocity between two differently disposed social actors” who hold different norms and expectations of each other, such as is common in Autistic to non-Autistic (Allistic) social interactions. There is a tendency... to incorrectly assume that there is a set of definable social norms and rules that exist for people to follow. The ‘theory of mind’ and ‘empathy’... refers to the ability a ‘neurotypical’ (NT) individual has to assume understandings of the mental states and motives of other people. When such ‘empathy’ is applied toward an Autistic person however, it is often wildly inaccurate in its measure." The stigma of being ‘othered’ and the normalisation agenda, and Implications for Service Providers: "it is true that autistic people often lack insight about NT perceptions and culture, yet it is equally the case that NT people lack insight into the minds and culture of ‘autistic people...' One could say that many autistic people have indeed gained a greater level of insight into NT society and mores than vice versa, perhaps due to the need to survive and potentially thrive in a NT culture. Conversely, the NT person has no pertinent personal requirement to understand the mind of the ‘autistic person’ unless closely related socially in some way... Differences in neurology may well produce differences in sociality, but not a ‘social deficit’ as compared to an idealised normative view of social reality.” Milton, Damian (2012) On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’. Disability & Society, 27 (6). pp. 883-887. ISSN 0968-7599. "The research data shows that while Autistic people scored lower on the measures of cognitive empathy and theory of mind, Autistic people are no different from controls on one affective empathy scale of the IRI (empathic concern), and scored higher than controls on the other (personal distress)." Therefore, we propose that the issue of empathy in AS (Autistic People) should be revisited. Rogers, Kimberley & Dziobek, Isabel & Hassenstab, Jason & Wolf, Oliver & Convit, Antonio. (2007). Who Cares? Revisiting Empathy in Asperger Syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 37. 709-15. 10.1007/s10803-006-0197-8. For a free pdf copy of this or any of our other infographics, go to the link below and click on the Educational Infographics tab. https://therapistndc.org/education/

Infographic created by Therapist Neurodiversity Collective

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