Double Empathy: Bridging the Gap in Human Understanding

In 2012, autistic researcher Damian Milton introduced a groundbreaking concept that redefined how we understand communication between autistic and non-autistic individuals: The Double Empathy Problem. His work challenged the traditional view that autistic people alone bear the responsibility for communication challenges and reframed it as a mutual gap in understanding.

What Is the Double Empathy Problem?

The Double Empathy Problem asserts that communication difficulties between autistic and non-autistic people arise not from a lack of empathy on one side, but from differences in experience, perception, and communication styles. In other words, each group struggles to fully grasp the perspective of the other because their ways of interpreting the world are so different.

In traditional models, autistic individuals are often seen as socially or emotionally “deficient,” but Milton’s work highlights that:

1. Empathy is a two-way street: Non-autistic individuals often find it just as difficult to understand autistic perspectives as the reverse.

2. Lived experience matters: The more divergent two people’s experiences are, the harder it becomes to bridge the gap between them.

For example, autistic individuals often communicate effectively with one another because they share similar ways of processing and expressing thoughts. Miscommunication arises most frequently when there’s a mismatch in underlying assumptions and social norms—like those between autistic and non-autistic people.

Shifting the Narrative

Milton’s theory represents a significant departure from the deficit-based models often used to describe autism. Instead of framing autistic people as needing to “fix” themselves to fit into a neurotypical world, the Double Empathy Problem emphasizes mutual responsibility for creating understanding.

This shift has broader implications for how we approach communication, inclusivity, and societal norms:

• Empathy isn’t universal: It’s deeply tied to shared experiences and context. What one group finds intuitive may be entirely alien to another.

• Collaboration is key: Effective communication requires effort from both sides to bridge differences, not just conformity to a single standard.

A Universal Truth: None of Us Sees the Same Way

While the Double Empathy Problem was developed to describe the relationship between autistic and non-autistic people, its implications extend far beyond that. The essence of the theory—that we all see the world through different lenses—is a universal truth.

Every human being operates from their own unique perspective, shaped by their biology, culture, and lived experience. Misunderstandings arise not because one person is “wrong,” but because our perceptions and interpretations don’t fully align.

Bridging the Gap with Bird Brain Archetypes

This is where frameworks like the Bird Brain Archetypes come into play. By recognizing that everyone—whether they’re a Hummingbird, Owl, Eagle, or Parrot—sees the world differently, we create space for empathy and connection.

• Hummingbirds move instinctively, driven by intuition and exploration.

• Owls reflect deeply, valuing process and uncovering hidden insights.

• Eagles act decisively, focusing on what’s directly in front of them.

• Parrots thrive in community, mirroring the energy and experiences of those around them.

Each archetype reflects a different Neurosparkle, a unique lens through which we interpret the world. Like the Double Empathy Problem, these archetypes remind us that none of us sees what the other sees—but together, we can build bridges of understanding by recognizing and valuing these differences.

Honoring Our Differences

The Double Empathy Problem gives us a language to name the gaps between perspectives, not as failures but as opportunities for connection. It challenges us to approach others with curiosity and humility, asking, What don’t I know about the way you see the world?

Whether we’re bridging the gap between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals or simply learning to appreciate the diversity of human experience, the work of Damian Milton reminds us that empathy isn’t about sameness. It’s about creating space for difference.

Welcome to the Empire of Empathy. A place where no one is told how to live, but instead is taught how to honor the blueprint they were born with—and to recognize the beauty in the blueprints of others.