Image: Lisa Simpson giving a presentation with a determined disposition.

Caption on the screen: The “double-empathy problem” is misnamed because it is not a problem. It is a theory that explains why we observe limited empathy between autistic and non-autistic individuals. Not only is it not a problem, it is a solution because it helps us understand why things are the way they are. Stop calling it a problem. It is now the “interneurotype empathy divide”…or something. Idk, but it is not a problem.

  • yokonzo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    201·
    4 months ago

    I just read a whole lot of words and am no closer to understanding what this post is talking about

    • I'm back on my BS 🤪@lemmy.autism.placeOPMEnglish
      52·
      3 months ago

      Historically, autism has been associated with an inability to empathize. However, recent observations have found that autistic people can empathize with each other, while neurotypical people have trouble empathizing with autistic people. This resulted in the formation of the so-called double-empathy problem that posits that autistic people can empathize with autistic people and NTs can empathize with NTs. In the meme, Lisa is pedantically arguing that the double empathy problem is not a problem, but a theory.

      Problem

      A question to be considered, solved, or answered. “math problems.”

      A situation, matter, or person that is hard to deal with or understand. “was having problems breathing; considered the main problem to be his boss.”

      A personal matter that causes one difficulty or needs to be dealt with. “felt her tyrannical boss had deep-seated problems.”

      Lisa argues that a theory that explains that there is a divide in empathizing between neurotype is not a problem because it helps us understand the phenomenon. Ultimately, this can help us further research to understand social matters better and make accommodations to function better together. It’s kind of akin to calling our acceptance of wave-particle duality a problem. It’s not a problem. It’s the understanding and acceptance of what we observe. The problem (if any) would be the consequences of wave-particle duality, but acknowledging it as reality is not a problem.