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Awareness of others

Lotus

I've heard that people on the Autistic spectrum tend to live in a world of their own and have little ability to empathise. 

But from my observations it appears that me and my partner (both Aspies) are much more aware of the people around us than most other people, who will sometimes exhibit ignorant behaviour like trying to walk straight through you instead of moving to one side on the pavement to allow you to pass. We also feel emotional empathy strongly when someone is in distress, whereas I've seen people in so called "caring professions" who didn't seem to care at all.

Maybe we on the Autistic spectrum all have this hyper-sensitivity to other people and emotional empathy, but it overloads some to the extent that they block it out, either by "shutting down", which restricts their communication abilities, or by making their own noise, repetitive movements, etc

What do you think? 

Parents

  • I've just found this description of empathy, which I think is clearer than most:

    "Empathy is, at its simplest, awareness of the feelings and emotions of other people. It is a key element of Emotional Intelligence, the link between self and others, because it is how we as individuals understand what others are experiencing as if we were feeling it ourselves."

    Find more at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/empathy.html#ixzz4FdVDr8Eh

    I can "pick up on" emotional pain, although I can't be absolutely sure that what I'm feeling is exactly the same as what the other person is feeling. It seems easier to do when the other person is an Aspie. 

    Is empathy then the same as "being on the same wavelength",  or what is known as "simpatico"? Does it happen when another Aspie describes their reactions to a situation and you say "I know exactly what you mean, I feel that way too"??

Reply

  • I've just found this description of empathy, which I think is clearer than most:

    "Empathy is, at its simplest, awareness of the feelings and emotions of other people. It is a key element of Emotional Intelligence, the link between self and others, because it is how we as individuals understand what others are experiencing as if we were feeling it ourselves."

    Find more at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/empathy.html#ixzz4FdVDr8Eh

    I can "pick up on" emotional pain, although I can't be absolutely sure that what I'm feeling is exactly the same as what the other person is feeling. It seems easier to do when the other person is an Aspie. 

    Is empathy then the same as "being on the same wavelength",  or what is known as "simpatico"? Does it happen when another Aspie describes their reactions to a situation and you say "I know exactly what you mean, I feel that way too"??

Children
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