🌿 Do Autistic People Lack Empathy? The Truth Behind the Myth
One of the most persistent myths about autism is that autistic people “lack empathy.” You’ve probably seen it in films, articles, or even everyday conversations. But here’s the truth: autistic people often feel too much empathy, not too little.
For many, emotions are experienced so deeply that they can feel overwhelming. This isn’t a lack of care — it’s an overflow.
At Herbs on the Hill, we believe in replacing myths with understanding, and in creating rituals of comfort that help manage the intensity of those emotions.
🌱 Where the Myth Came From
The “empathy gap” idea began decades ago, when autism research was narrow and often biased. Early studies focused on social behaviour without considering sensory overload, anxiety, or differences in communication.
What looked like “coldness” was often:
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Overwhelm → too many signals at once.
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Anxiety → difficulty expressing feelings under pressure.
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Different expression → empathy shown in actions, not words.
🌸 The Double Empathy Problem
Researchers now describe the double empathy problem:
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Autistic and non-autistic people sometimes misunderstand each other’s ways of expressing empathy.
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It’s not that empathy is missing — it’s that the signals don’t always translate across neurotypes.
👉 Example: An autistic person might show empathy by giving practical solutions instead of verbal comfort. To another autistic person, that’s perfectly caring. To a neurotypical person, it might be missed.
💔 The Truth About Empathy in Autism
Autistic people often experience:
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Deep emotional empathy → feeling others’ emotions intensely.
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Compassion fatigue → becoming drained from caring so much.
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Difficulty expressing empathy in “expected” ways → but showing it through loyalty, advocacy, or action.
👉 Far from lacking empathy, autistic people often care so much it hurts.
🌿 Rituals for Emotional Grounding
Big empathy can feel beautiful but also overwhelming. Aromatherapy and sensory rituals can help ground emotions:
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Rose → softens and comforts tender feelings.
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Lavender → calms anxious overwhelm.
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Frankincense → grounding, helps with emotional processing.
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Chamomile → gentle support when compassion feels draining.
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Bergamot → uplifting, helps balance heavy moods.
From the Limitless Collection:
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Calm Roll-On (lavender + chamomile) → pocket ally for sensory overwhelm.
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Focus Roll-On (peppermint + citrus) → clarity when emotions fog concentration.
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Botanical Breeze Spray → refreshing reset in emotionally heavy spaces.
🌿 Explore the Limitless Collection.
🌸 Simple Rituals to Try
The Empathy Reset
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Roll Calm blend onto pulse points.
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Breathe slowly, reminding yourself: it’s okay to feel deeply, and it’s okay to rest.
Evening Balance
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Diffuse rose and frankincense.
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Let the aroma signal your nervous system to release the day’s emotional load.
💡 FAQs About Empathy & Autism
Q: Do autistic people lack empathy?
A: No. Research shows autistic people often feel empathy intensely but may express it differently.
Q: What is the double empathy problem?
A: A communication gap where autistic and non-autistic people may misinterpret each other’s signals.
Q: Can aromatherapy help with empathy overwhelm?
A: Aromatherapy isn’t a treatment, but it offers grounding rituals that calm, uplift, and support emotional balance.
💜
Autistic people do not lack empathy — they often carry more than their share. What they need is not “fixing,” but understanding, space, and gentle rituals of grounding.
At Herbs on the Hill, we’ve spent over 30 years handcrafting natural oils, balms, and sprays that help transform everyday life into sanctuary.
🌿 Explore the Limitless Collection, or visit us at 20 Bath Street, Frome.
💌 Connect with us:
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Live chat at HerbsontheHill.shop
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Socials: @herbsonthehill
Empathy is not missing — it’s overflowing. 🌸
