Myth-busting using the double empathy problem
Autistic researcher and author Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate) illustrates how Dr Damian Milton’s (2012) ‘double empathy problem’ theory dispels the myth that autistic people lack empathy.
Talking points
- The inaccuracy of the cultural trope that autistic people lack empathy.
- The double empathy problem instead highlights communication differences across neurotypes.
- This requires us to face the inequality and barriers which some people face.
Length: 3 minutes
Reflective questions
Consider examples from your own organisations and practice:
- Are you aware of resources, organisations and groups which could increase community connectedness between the children and young people you are working with and other autistic people?
- How can the double empathy problem help us to understand and reflect on a child or young person’s behaviour and the behaviour of others in their life?
You could use these questions in a reflective session or talk to a colleague. You can save your reflections and access these in the Research in Practice Your CPD area.
Related resources
Watch
- Kieran Rose wrote and narrated this animation ‘An introduction to the double empathy problem’. Full credits: Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate), Josh Knowles (Josh Knowles animation), Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou (Anna Freud Centre) and Dr Ruth Moyse (AT-Autism) for the Health Education-funded National Autism Trainer Programme.
Part of Understanding autism to support autistic children and young people - a neurodiversity approach: Video learning resources.