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๐ฟ Do Autistic People Lack Empathy? The Truth Behind the Myth
One of the most persistent myths about autism is that autistic people โlack empathy.โ Youโve probably seen it in films, articles, or even everyday conversations. But hereโs 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 isnโt a lack of care โ itโs 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.
๐ฑ Where the Myth Came From
The โempathy gapโ 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 โcoldnessโ was often:
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Overwhelm โ too many signals at once.
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Anxiety โ difficulty expressing feelings under pressure.
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Different expression โ empathy shown in actions, not words.
๐ธ The Double Empathy Problem
Researchers now describe the double empathy problem:
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Autistic and non-autistic people sometimes misunderstand each otherโs ways of expressing empathy.
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Itโs not that empathy is missing โ itโs that the signals donโt always translate across neurotypes.
๐ Example: An autistic person might show empathy by giving practical solutions instead of verbal comfort. To another autistic person, thatโs perfectly caring. To a neurotypical person, it might be missed.
๐ The Truth About Empathy in Autism
Autistic people often experience:
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Deep emotional empathy โ feeling othersโ emotions intensely.
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Compassion fatigue โ becoming drained from caring so much.
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Difficulty expressing empathy in โexpectedโ ways โ but showing it through loyalty, advocacy, or action.
๐ Far from lacking empathy, autistic people often care so much it hurts.
๐ฟ 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 โ softens and comforts tender feelings.
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Lavender โ calms anxious overwhelm.
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Frankincense โ grounding, helps with emotional processing.
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Chamomile โ gentle support when compassion feels draining.
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Bergamot โ uplifting, helps balance heavy moods.
From the Limitless Collection:
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Calm Roll-On (lavender + chamomile) โ pocket ally for sensory overwhelm.
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Focus Roll-On (peppermint + citrus) โ clarity when emotions fog concentration.
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Botanical Breeze Spray โ refreshing reset in emotionally heavy spaces.
๐ฟ Explore the Limitless Collection.
๐ธ 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: itโs okay to feel deeply, and itโs 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 dayโs emotional load.
๐ก 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 otherโs signals.
Q: Can aromatherapy help with empathy overwhelm?
A: Aromatherapy isnโt a treatment, but it offers grounding rituals that calm, uplift, and support emotional balance.
๐ย
Autistic people do not lack empathy โ they often carry more than their share. What they need is not โfixing,โ but understanding, space, and gentle rituals of grounding.
At Herbs on the Hill, weโve spent over 30 years handcrafting natural oils, balms, and sprays that help transform everyday life into sanctuary.
๐ฟ Explore the Limitless Collection, or visit us at 20 Bath Street, Frome.
๐ Connect with us:
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Live chat at HerbsontheHill.shop
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Socials: @herbsonthehill
Empathy is not missing โ itโs overflowing. ๐ธ
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