High Emotion and Autism
Thursday June 1, 2006
The myth says that people with autism are unable to read others' emotions...unable to empathize...and often have limited emotions of their own. Yet many people on the autism spectrum are not only empathetic and emotionally responsive, but seem MORE emotional than their typically developing peers. They may respond more intensely to others' feelings -- crying when others cry, for example. They may need more hugs and loving reassurance. They may even empathize more fully, asking and really listening for answers to why another person is sad, upset, or angry.
Perhaps the myth of emotional coldness comes from the early days of autism, when the term meant "profoundly withdrawn." Today, though, it seems far from the mark. What are your thoughts?
Comments
I beleive they are to a degree. They often mimick another person/child and may be empathetic that there is something different and listen to understand. My Asperger’s son can’t point out why but does feel more especially those close to him. His feelings are within himself and do not have words he can put to them (at least not the correct terminology till he learns through therapy).
I believe some autistic individuals do experience emotion. My oldest son ,who is autistic, will hug and say to my youngest son “don’t cry”, if he sees him crying. That’s more than I can say for some so called “normal” people.
Everyone is different, autism or not. I have worked extensively with individuals in this population and have seen emotional ranges across the board. We cannot make global statements regarding individuals with autism being “cold” or “affectionate”, as every person is different. Also, their emotional responses will change from day-to-day depending on their mood, sleep level, etc. just like any one of us. I am very glad that there has been a reversal of the idea that individuals with autism are “cold”, this is progress…
The question of emotion is interesting. When my son was younger, he was much less caring about other people’s feelings. It was very upsetting, because although he was very sensitive to his own feelings — crying or having a fit when upset, for instance, he was not responsive to others.
Slowly this changed. Now, he is the first one to come running if he hears someone say “ouch” from another room. He had to leave school because he felt so bad when the other kids had meltdowns at school all the time — and he didn’t used to seem to really notice! It just seems he “woke up” and began to feel and emphasize with emotions.
The problem is that he can’t tell if what sounds like an emotional outburst is really just that. When he was still in school, there was one kid with autism (who by the way, was an emotionally cold child), who made all kinds of loud sounds randomly. My son interpreted these as upset sounds — so he would get very upset and frightened. Explanations that the child was just vocalizing and not upset didn’t help — he is low-functioning and couldn’t understand the explanations. So it’s hard for him to sort all of this out.
In the meantime, he is a very sweet, loving child. If anyone is sad he says, “Poor… and gives them a hug.
Our 4 year old son has Asperbergers. He used to be extremly agressive and didn’t care if he hurt you or made you cry. We decided to medicate him and his meltdowns are no longer violent outburst but are now emotional outbursts. He is an extremly sucky boy, and crys at anything but I’ll take that over agression. I’ve also noticed that he can flip back and forth, one day he’ll hurt his sister and not care and the next day he’ll cry if she’s upset.
Laura
My son will be eight soon in oct, Every day there id aleay somthing that’s wrong even if everything is right.He Cry’s scream’s at me he want’s friend’s for a little bit then they to go home , He still as potty act! I tell him all day long to go . i get mom leave me alone .He does’nt read bodymovement’s everyday he does the emotional take for everything my family say all his behavoir is my fault an there nothing wrong he has as,pdd,ocd,adhd my day are long one’s this year was first year with his disorder with a doctor and his school helping me as well seven year with no help bad doc, she said nothing wrong it was my parting skill’s i went to classes for my son so if some tell you doc or not nothing wrong just try someone new now thing are better .
My daughter Jordan is 6yo and starting first grade this year. She has been diagnosed with high-functioning autism and communicates fairly well. Jordan is over sympathetic when another person has an emotion such as anger or sadness. She brings the emotion on to herself and mimics their behavior, even after the persons behavior has stopped. If we go to the park and a toddler, for example, cries, she will get very upset and cry uncontrolably long after the toddler has stopped. If a parent gets angery with their child and repremands them in a firm voice around Jordan, she will join that parent and start yelling also. There are days that this is worse than others. I’ve tried hugging her and removing her from the situation. I’ve tried reading her books about separting her feelings from others. I’ve tried a little tough love and explain that she can’t cry like that at school, the other kids will “tease” her. Nothing has really worked so far. She’s over sensitive and hopefully time and maturity will help her find coping mechinisms to deal with her emotions.
I’ve been working with Autistic children for nearly 2 years now as a Supprot Worker in a Residential setting. Emotionally the children are aware depending on their level of understanding is whether they empathize or not. Some of the children that stay with us termly board. Can get quite emotional when missing their families. It sadens me in these situations when they are probably wandering the question why me? I still believe that austism is still very much the unknown. We have improved our understanding but still have a long way to go before making such comments as we have done before. The imagination of some of these children are extradordinary and the sense of humour is well makes my job feel veryn important to me.