Neurodiversity and double empathy: can empathy disconnects be mitigated to support autistic belonging?

Abstract

Within disability studies in general, and autism research in particular, a neurodiverse perspective has been gaining traction. Since the 1990s, and with increasing intensity recently, the neurodiversity movement has reshaped narratives about autism, has refocused research priorities, as well as the ways supports are conceived and delivered. The neurodiversity movement has brought autistic-led theories to the center of research agendas including the Double Empathy theory. Most of the double empathy theory research to date has examined communication patterns between less familiar partners, but there is so much more to learn. The purpose of this paper is to (a) review the science relative to communication and social interaction, the double empathy theory, and belonging for autistic people, (b) consider the future of autistic wellbeing through prioritizing belonging, (c) examine intersubjectivity, meaning making, and empathy as factors in belonging, and (d) propose a framework for reducing empathy disconnects in cross-neurotype interactions.

Points of interest

• For many years, the default perspective in mainstream society has been that differences are aspects of a person that should be fixed or changed.

• As the neurodiversity movement has gained traction, research has been mounting to support the idea that breakdowns in conversations between neurodiverse dyads or groups of people are not the fault of one person but instead are the result of differences in lived experiences and social expectations.

• To embrace neurodiversity, everyone, especially people who have traditionally been considered “typical” or “normal,” need to approach conversations and interactions with the mindset that every interaction is an opportunity for learning.

• This is the only way to ensure that all people are included, valued, and belong in communities, classrooms, and workplaces.

Keywords:

• Neurodiversity
• double empathy theory
• intersubjectivity
• belonging
• communication
• autism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).