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Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’

Milton, Damian E. M. and Waldock, Krysia Emily and Keates, Nathan (2023) Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’. In: Mezzenzana, Francesca and Peluso, Daniela, eds. Conversations on Empathy. Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 78-97. E-ISBN 978-1-00-318997-8. (doi:10.4324/9781003189978-6) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:102377)

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Abstract

Drawing upon both personal experience of being autistic and a parent to an autistic child, as well as theory and relevant interdisciplinary research, this chapter explores few questions, arguing that such a way of framing autism and empathy is deeply problematic. Definitions of empathy relate to a breadth of cognitive and subjective states, often as Baron-Cohen indicates, split into ‘cognitive’ and ‘affective’ empathy. In contrast to psychopathy and narcissism, which are often characterised as resulting from deficits in affective empathy, autism have been linked to a deficit in cognitive empathy. Milton suggests that the power relationships that can form between autistic people and psych-professionals who may see their ‘patients’ as lacking in socialisation, empathy, moral competency, and even full humanity can produce forms of psycho-emotional disablement, constraining not only what people can do but also what they can be and become.

Item Type: Book section
DOI/Identification number: 10.4324/9781003189978-6
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Milly Massoura
Date Deposited: 08 Aug 2023 13:50 UTC
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2024 01:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/102377 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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