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A question for Professor William Fraser re: autism and empathy

Emma

Since Professor William Fraser is the chairperson of Autism Cymru, and having heard good things about him he's someone whose opinion I'd respect, I've decided to address this question primarily to him...

Hey Prof, I've been reading a lot of stuff on autism blogs and sites on the question of whether or not people on the autistic spectum have impaired or zero empathy, and it seems that opinions vary... with some people being of the mind that contrary to popular opinion, autistic people have TOO MUCH empathy and so we close down because we can't handle the overload and feeling other's emotions too intensely: www.thestar.com/.../aspergers_theory_does_aboutface.html (I can certainly identify with that, lol)

Since you're one of the top experts on autism in this country, I'd be interested and v. appreciative to know whether you think we have TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE empathy! Cheers. Smile

  • Much of my childhood was a nightmare of being easily upset/oversensitive myself whilst simulteaneously lacking the social imagination to avoid inadvertantly saying rude/upsetting things to others!

    Later in life getting to know individuals more intimately I've been told I was too nice for my own good. Basically being a soft touch / acquiescing to avoid confrontation - my social skills dissolve in the face of confrontation especially with strangers.

    As an adult I can confidently say I have very strong empathy for other humans and most living creatures.

  • I have always questioned this concept. Most people I have met with AS are very kind and thoughtful, and if I am in trouble I usually welcome practical help more than anything else! 

    The people I think really lack empathy are the bullies who make life hell for so many people who don't fit their bigoted view of 'normal'

  • I have read that there are 2 kinds of empathy, cognitive and emotional.

    Cognitive empathy is knowing what other people are thinking, also known as theory of mind. I believe this is where we are lacking.

    Emotional empathy is to do with awareness of how others are feeling. I find that this grows with experience. I look back to a time when I was unaware of how others felt, but now, can be overwhelmed by the emotions of others. I used to be almost afraid of people who had been bereaved until I learnt from experience that it is posible to get through it.

    If someone is distressed by something that would not upset me, then I feel very little sympathy. If I have experienced what is happening to them then I can sympathise.

    Even if we empathise, we may not respond in the way that nt people do. I know that I can be tactless. I try to copy what other people say in these situations, but I still get it wrong sometimes. I think that many people with asd try to offer practical help rather than supportive words. This may not be what the person  needs at that moment. They may also say nothing for fear of getting it wrong and be seen as uncaring as a result.

    I know from experience just how badly wrong, many people can be in what they say to the bereaved. If they haven't experienced it then they just don't know what to say. Nt people have to learn too and those who do counselling are given training.