Neurodiversity and double empathy: can empathy disconnects be mitigated to support autistic belonging?

Abstract

Within disability studies in general, and autism research in particular, a neurodiverse perspective has been gaining traction. Since the 1990s, and with increasing intensity recently, the neurodiversity movement has reshaped narratives about autism, has refocused research priorities, as well as the ways supports are conceived and delivered. The neurodiversity movement has brought autistic-led theories to the center of research agendas including the Double Empathy theory. Most of the double empathy theory research to date has examined communication patterns between less familiar partners, but there is so much more to learn. The purpose of this paper is to (a) review the science relative to communication and social interaction, the double empathy theory, and belonging for autistic people, (b) consider the future of autistic wellbeing through prioritizing belonging, (c) examine intersubjectivity, meaning making, and empathy as factors in belonging, and (d) propose a framework for reducing empathy disconnects in cross-neurotype interactions.