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MENTAL MODEL · M3175

Double Empathy Problem

Double Empathy Problem
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

There is a mutual difficulty in understanding between autistic individuals and neurotypical individuals; it is not a one-way issue of 'autistic individuals cannot understand others', but rather both parties find it hard to accurately understand each other's ways of thinking and emotional experiences.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

A model for understanding differences. It overturns the traditional 'deficit' perspective, emphasizing that communication barriers are bidirectional. It has implications for cross-cultural communication, intergenerational exchange, and dialogue between professionals and non-professionals.

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Damian Milton proposed that communication difficulties between autistic and non-autistic individuals are bidirectional—both sides struggle to understand the other's perspective, rather than only autistic individuals having a 'deficit', challenging one-way pathologization.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_empathy_problemZH · Explicit
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