What is the double empathy problem?

In 2012, Damien Milton coined the term ‘Double Empathy Problem’

He described it as a [direct quote from paper]: “lack of insight … it is true that autistic people often lack insight about non-[autistic] perceptions and culture, yet it is equally the case that non-[autistic] people lack insight into the minds and culture of ‘autistic people’.”

He adds that “[o]ne could say that many autistic people have indeed gained a greater level of insight into non-[autistic] society, and more than vice versa, perhaps due to the need to survive and potentially thrive in a non-[autistic] culture” (p. 886)

Let’s explore using an animal metaphor of a squirrel 🐿️ and an octopus 🐙:

According to the double empathy problem, a squirrel would understand and communicate clearly with squirrels

And an octopus would understand and communicate clearly with their fellow octopi

A challenge may arise when squirrels and octopi come together. According to the "Double Empathy Problem," the squirrel would be more comfortable communicating as if the octopi were a squirrel and the octopi would be more comfortable communicating as if the squirrel were an octopi. But, the octopi (non-neurodivergent) expects the squirrel to conform (communicate and behave as if an octopi). It is odd that the octopi does not consider changing their communication and try to ‘speak’ squirrel.

What do we do?

First, we need to understand and accept that a squirrel will never be an octopus. And an octopus will never be a squirrel. Just like a neurodivergent person will never be neurotypical and vice versa.

Second, we need to be talking about the double empathy problem. This is important. It allows us to begin a dialogue of meeting the other where they are at. Allowing the squirrel (autistic person) to be a squirrel and respecting their communication style. The goal is to meet in the middle, by trying to understand each others perspectives.

Reference

Milton, D.E.M. (2012) On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’, Disability & Society, 27:6, 883-887 https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.710008