A new study from the University of Bath and King’s College London has found that individuals with more autistic tendencies show lower empathy and reduced understanding of other people’s feelings. This link between autism and reduced empathy was found to be more dominant and statistically significant compared to the coexistence of alexithymia, a difficulty in processing emotion.
The results were consistent across two large-scale surveys involving over 650 adults from the general population. This research sheds light on the association between autism and empathy, providing a better understanding of the experiences of individuals with autism. It is hoped that these findings will lead to improved support and acceptance for those with autism.
Policymakers, clinicians, and educators should take these results into consideration when developing support systems for individuals with autism. This study adds to the growing body of research on autism and could contribute to a better understanding of the condition.
