K.J. ElphinstoneMar 18

Is empathy political?
A thread on autistic empathy.

A still-quite-popular belief about autistic people is that we lack empathy.

I think this is faulty logic.
Here's why:

A thread 🧵

1/10

#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent
#DoubleEmpathy #TheoryOfMind

Show threadDianora (Diane Bruce)Mar 19

@KatyElphinstone
https://seventhvoice.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/new-study-finds-that-individuals-with-aspergers-syndrome-dont-lack-empathy-in-fact-if-anything-they-empathize-too-much/

too much empathy would lead to shutdown which could be perceived as non-empathy by NT.

Theory finds that individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome don’t lack empathy – in fact if anything they empathize too much

“A ground-breaking theory suggests people with autism-spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s do not lack empathy – rather, they feel others’ emotions too intensely to cope.” “People with…

Seventh Voice
Show threadinstantiatethis
@Dianora @KatyElphinstone 10000% if I let myself be fully empathetic I will often get more emotional about the thing than the other person (especially if related to grief or discrimination) which is not helpful in many situations and can lead to many painful physical symptoms in me. Even if I do mostly successfully turn off my feelings for the short term (i.e. to listen to a friend without blubbering) it is utterly exhausting and can contribute to shutdowns or burnout
Mar 19 at 9:49pmWeb
Show threadDianora (Diane Bruce)Mar 19
@instantiatethis @KatyElphinstone Yes. Exactly.