Many autistic people experience overwhelming ‘hyper-empathy’, according to new research.
The finding comes from a study by academics at Sheffield Hallam University.
Researcher Dr Diarmuid Verrier says the study shows how nuanced and unique each autistic person’s experience of empathy is
The study describes the lived experiences of empathy among autistic people. It includes their reflections on the stereotype that autistic people do not feel empathy.
Challenging misconceptions
The research found that autistic people experience empathy in diverse ways, with many reporting overwhelming feelings of empathy.
The findings challenge the misconceptions about autistic people and the persisting stereotype that autistic people lack empathy.
Most participants (78 per cent) felt they experienced ‘hyper-empathy’. This is an emotional response so powerful and uncontrollable that it causes distress.
Comments from participants included: “I absorb other people’s emotions, and I almost know how people are feeling before they are aware of it themselves.”
Another was: “I feel empathy so much that it’s painful.”
‘Findings are particularly valuable’
Researcher Dr Diarmuid Verrier said: “Our findings are particularly valuable, as they show how nuanced and unique each autistic person’s experience of empathy is.
“This is something that can be missed if people rely on stereotypes about what autistic people are like.”
Within the research, participants reflected on how these misconceptions affected them and caused harm. One said: “I think it is a stereotype which causes a great deal of harm, and I am especially upset when I hear trained psychologists assume a person cannot be autistic because they have empathy.”
Dr Verrier said: “This research is based on work carried out by one of the students in MSc Developmental Psychology, Lesley Kimber, who is deeply interested in autism.”
Empathy is conditional for some
The research looked at the diverse ways autistic people experience empathy. While most participants experienced hyper-empathy, some reported that they did not feel empathy. Meanwhile, others said they do but find it difficult to understand or express these feelings.
One theme from the findings was that for some autistic people empathy is conditional. They were more likely to feel empathy for people close to them, animals or other autistic people.
Other participants felt that empathy took effort due to subtle, unwritten social cues and the differences in how non-autistic and autistic people express themselves.
They felt it was a skill that they could learn as they came up with compensatory practices to become empathic.
One participant felt they had grown more empathetic with age and life experience.
Related:
Published: 6 October 2023
