Ettina wrote:
It sounds like you may have trouble with higher-level theory of mind.
There are three distinct things that are often called 'empathy'.
The first is an emotional reaction more appropriate to your perception of someone else's situation, rather than your own. For example, if you believe a loved one is unhappy (whether they actually are or not), you feel unhappy. This is unaffected by autism.
The second is an ability to perceive and interpret nonverbal cues, such as eye gaze, facial expressions, tone of voice, etc. This is usually affected by autism, but probably not in your case.
The third is a cognitive ability to analyse your own and other people's thought patterns, to predict what they'll think or feel based on inferring what they are likely perceto understand the connection between your own perceptions and understanding of the world. This is also usually affected by autism, but I personally don't have trouble with this.
Citations needed. I disagree that the first thing is unaffected by autism. It rather seems that every autistic for whom the first doesn't apply argues vehemently that it is not a part of autism because they don't want people assuming they are that callous. I have yet to read any sort of scientific corroboration of that often touted 'fact'.
I don't know if I'm on the spectrum but I have issues with 1. It doesn't mean I want people to be unhappy at all, nor that i use people, but I have very little emotional sympathy. And no, this is not because i lack the second 2 things either.
_________________
Not autistic, I think
Prone to depression
Have celiac disease
Poor motivation
Last edited by cavernio on 02 Jan 2016, 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
02 Jan 2016, 3:19 pm
