Empathy?

Absolutely not, no. This is a very dangerous prejudice.

Not a few Autists even have “Hyperempathy“.

Then we’d have the thing with Double-Empathy problem.

That we autists basically don’t have theory of Mind, is not the same.

Object personification also speaks against the image of the emotional autist.

Our affective empathy is usually very pronounced. We have more problems with cognitive empathy, because there is also much non-verbal. We can also have problems showing our compassion “correct” for various reasons. For example, because we feel so much that it overwhelms us. Just because someone has trouble showing his empathy doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it.

In addition, some autists komorbide have an Alexithymie. It was found that autists with Alexithymie have more problems with empathy than autists without – This suggests that the trigger is often not autism, but more Alexithymie.

Personally, that’s how my empathy level fluctuates. The more stressed I am, the lower he gets. But there are also many moments (and topics) where I tend to be hyperempathy. For example, with my special interests and things like bullying. If I had to experience something already, I can feel it all better.

I’ll show my empathy a little different. I am talking about my own experiences with a topic. Not because I want to focus attention on me, but because this is my way to show “Yes, I can understand you, I know that, so it was me, maybe it helps you somehow or you feel at least something better.”

I also ask questions to my counterpart, because I want to understand, assess and help the situation better. But I don’t know when I’m asking too much to personal and can be frustrated quickly if you don’t explain everything directly to me. I just want to help, I think. Find some solutions. Proposals.

When I see someone crying, I feel bad and sad. I just don’t know how to do what I can do best.

We’re not selfish either. Not more than any other person.