Article summary with Double empathy: Why autistic people are often misunderstood by Crompton a.o. - 2021

People with autism communicate in a different way than non-autistic people. It is often assumed that non-autistic people are better at understanding others in general. However, it might be the case that autistic people understand each other better. In this study, it is examined in which way autistic people communicate with non-autistic people, using the double empathy problem theory.

What is the double empathy problem? 

The double empathy problem explains the difficulties that occur when autistic people and non-autistic people communicate. Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of others. People with autism express themselves differently, which makes it difficult to understand what they mean sometimes. This works both ways, for autistic people it is also more difficult to understand non-autistic people. 
An example of a problem that occurs in communication is that non-autistic people interpret non-verbal communication, and autistic people might have difficulties understanding this kind of communication. Non-autistic people might also have trouble understanding autistic people, as they try to read between the lines while there is no other meaning than what is verbally communicated. 

What does the telephone game say about the double empathy problems? 

Research has shown that non-autistic people tend to like autistic people less as a result of communication difficulties. This leads to the social exclusion of autistic people. On the contrary, autistic people tend to have better communication among each other. Studies show that autistic people communicate as well with each other as non-autistic people communicate. Furthermore, studies show that autistic people rely less on social expectations. Therefore, they are more patient with people who express themselves in a different way. This is supported by a study that uses a game in which one person whispers a message into the ear of the next person. The final person in line has to say the message out loud, and the aim is that it is as close as possible to the original word. Groups with autistic people were as effective in transferring the message as groups with non-autistic people. Mixed groups were much less effective. 

What are the limitations of the study?

Studies about the double empathy problem have been mainly focussing on teens and adults. There has been little research about how this theory works for autistic children. Some studies show that children are more positive about autistic children. This indicates that negative attitudes about people with autism are learned. Furthermore, studies have focussed on autistic people with no intellectual disability. Therefore, the results can only be applied to this group of people. 

By understanding more about autistic people and their communication can help with their inclusion.