People with Asperger's do NOT lack empathy

Though it is true that Aspies are not intuitive when it comes to reading nonverbal cues, it does not mean that they are indifferent or lack empathy. In this video I discuss specifics about how Aspies perceive and express intentions, giving examples from my son, Spencer. Comments welcome.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Asperger's Syndrome
• aspies
• empathy
• indifferent
• social cues
• nonverbal
• facial expressions
• socially awkward
• awkwardness
• empathetic
• apathy
• learning disability
• parenting
• single father
• single dad

[ianwfirestone]

GREAT comment, @CalebCornell! Spencer experiences this very often. He will become upset or anxious about what he thinks someone's emotions are, even if they have no facial or behavioral indicators. Rather than going by the "regular" cues, he'll assume the feelings of others based on the situation, events or his own defined key words. Neurotypicals often accuse Spencer (and other Aspies) of "overreacting," when really he's just reacting to the indicators that make sense to HIM. Thanks!

[ianwfirestone]

Thank you, GZxModzz, for illustrating your lack of empathy, along with your other Aspie traits, such as not listening well. I never said all Aspies have the same symptoms. Once more, the Aspies I know do care about people's feelings, but just don't do so intuitively or on the fly. I checked your YouTube page and clearly your hobby is flaming other YouTubers.

[mamalusk]

empathy is NOT the same as sympathy!!! empathy is understanding what others feel, sympathy is feeling with them... so when an aspie KNOW that you are sad he will feel sympathy and care. But sometyimes he will not UNDERSTAND that you are sad - and THAT is an empathy problem...

[ianwfirestone]

@mamalusk Thanks for the input. I think the difference between my point and your point is one of intuition and timing. Spencer/Aspies can/do understand/care what other people feel, just usually not in real time and not intuitively. Spencer rarely grasps the consequences of his words/actions on the fly, but that intuitive disconnect does not negate his care for the individual(s) involved. He may not understand immediately or without assistance, but he CAN and WILL.

[PennyDreadful1]

@GZxModzz Sounds like Narcissistic personality disorder to me....

Yep you seem screwed up.

[andrewkilroyable]

@GZxModzz So to agressive we add arrogant to to paranoid we add self-righteous. 95%? That's an absurd presumptuous stastistic for a person with no real self-worth to hide behind. Just like that lack of empathy lie you have. You aren't autistic. You use autism as an excuse for actual personaility defects. Now quit your arguments, which consist of faulty logic or non-existent evidence.

[GZxModzz]

@andrewkilroyable No, I "swear" because the stupidity of the human race.. Not because I'm "aggressive" swearing isn't violent.. I don't feel inferior to anybody.. If anything I feel superior because I'm intelligent unlike 95% of American teens. And I am far from Paranoid my friend..

[GZxModzz]

@ianwfirestone Yes it IS!

[andrewkilroyable]

@GZxModzz Yes, you are. You start swearing as you disagree with someone in a reflex. That is agressive. You show this agression to everyone who disagrees with you, so you find their viewpoint inherently threatening when it isn't: you are paranoid . And you do have an inferiority complex because you insist in your mind that because you have convinced yourself of autism you have a free reign to be an asshole. Yes, they are different things. You are antisocial: You are freakishly insulting.

[GZxModzz]

@andrewkilroyable Haha.. You have no idea what you're talking about also, so let me explain it to you...

Paranoid - Mistrust, overly worried

Inferiority Complex - The feeling of being inferior to everybody in some way.

Aggressive - Violent

I do not trust everybody, however I do trust a lot of people proving I'm not paranoid.. I don't feel inferior to everyone at all.. And I'm certainly not aggressive.. Also, antisocial and unempathetic are 2 different things man. You're very stupid.

[andrewkilroyable]

@mamalusk I can feel what other people do quite well. My issue is why people would feel like that in a certain situation. So my empathy is better than my sympathy in some cases and my sympathy better than empathy. Also this whole empathy stuff is half a load of bullshit anyway. If people were so good at reading other's feelings and this would automatically make them supportive, then why do your kind always call themselves assholes?

[andrewkilroyable]

@GZxModzz Well you certainly sound like you use asperger's as an excuse for having a paranoid agressive inferiority complex. You also sound antisocial rather than unempathetic.