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Need for empathy in Asperger's

NAS50725

I understand that a person with Asperger's struggles with having empathy for others, but do they also not need empathy from others? Or is it likely that one might have a strong need for empathy from others, to the point of almost demanding it? 

Thank you.

Parents

  • One of the most common misconceptions is that Autistics lack empathy for others.

    Autistics possess  strong empathy feelings it's the inability to express them in acceptable conventional ways that is the problem.

  • in reply to Robert124

    That is true Robert. I have been reading about emotional empathy versus cognitive empathy. I often feel other people's emotions incredibly deeply - even if they are hiding them. But I find it hard to work out what the emotional consequences of specific situations will be, and how people are likely to feel if certain things happen. I seem to have high emotional empathy and low cognitive empathy. 

  • in reply to Sunflower

    On the contrary I’m the opposite. I know what empathetic feeling I should have but I don’t feel it. I like empathy. Actually writing this I’ve realised I lack empathy in real life but I can emphasise with fiction, ie tv, movies or games. Damn I’m confused lol

  • in reply to Whats-His-Face

    See I struggle with my emotions, not because I don't feel them, I just don't understand them and they can overwhelm me (something I am looking to resolve currently).  When people are hurt or upset, it does make me distressed as I want to make them feel better and happy - however the outpouring of emotions from other people overwhelms and I often do't know how to react to it.  Like you though, I often become rooted with a character and almost emotional invested in their story.  With TV and books though, I find they are safer to become more emotionally vested - there are no consequences to incorrectly foreseeing the outcomes and you are not required to present an emotional solution to the problem. There is no risk or hurting the character, which is often my biggest fear with someone in real life.

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  • in reply to Whats-His-Face

    See I struggle with my emotions, not because I don't feel them, I just don't understand them and they can overwhelm me (something I am looking to resolve currently).  When people are hurt or upset, it does make me distressed as I want to make them feel better and happy - however the outpouring of emotions from other people overwhelms and I often do't know how to react to it.  Like you though, I often become rooted with a character and almost emotional invested in their story.  With TV and books though, I find they are safer to become more emotionally vested - there are no consequences to incorrectly foreseeing the outcomes and you are not required to present an emotional solution to the problem. There is no risk or hurting the character, which is often my biggest fear with someone in real life.

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