How can the double empathy problem explain misunderstandings in autism?

PostedDecember 3, 2025

UpdatedDecember 3, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Many autism and communication misunderstandings are rooted not in one-sided deficits, but in a mutual disconnect between autistic and non-autistic people. The “double empathy problem” explains how autism and communication misunderstandings arise when both sides struggle to interpret each other’s intentions, tone, or social cues often leading to confusion on both ends.

This concept challenges the outdated idea that autistic people lack empathy. Differences in emotional expression, body language, and communication style can make it difficult for both neurotypes to read each other. These clashes are often labelled as an empathy gap, when they’re really a breakdown in a shared context. A cross-neurotype interaction says, between an autistic child and a neurotypical teacher can feel strained not because one person is wrong, but because their social frameworks don’t quite align. Building a better social understanding starts by recognising that both parties need support in bridging that gap.

How the Double Empathy Problem Shows Up

Here are some real-life signs that this mutual miscommunication might be happening:

Different Body Language Expectations

An autistic person may avoid eye contact, while a non-autistic person sees this as disinterest or dishonesty.

Missed Emotional Cues

Expressions of distress or joy may be shown in less familiar ways like stimming or silence leading to misread reactions.

Confusion in Social Norms

What feels polite or obvious to one person might not be interpreted the same way by the other, leading to accidental offence or awkwardness.

Understanding both perspectives helps everyone feel more heard.

Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations focused on bridging neurotype communication gaps.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Communication Challenges.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.