VIDEO CONFERENCE: “Aspie” One-Way Empathy Isn’t Empathy

An International Support Group facilitated by Dr. Marshack. This Video Conference is only for members of Meetup. Click here for membership details and to register for this call.

TOPIC: VIDEO CONFERENCE: “Aspie” One-Way Empathy Isn’t Empathy

WHEN: Thursday, June 3rd, 4 pm PT

Register: here.

Occasionally, I am scolded by an “Aspie” telling me that they do indeed have empathy. They feel hurt and offended that I would suggest otherwise.

Rarely, an NT will tell me the same because they are aware of how sensitive their “Aspie” is. But sensitivity is not empathy, any more than words alone convey meaning, or paint on a canvas is a work of art.

Empathy is a two-way street. If you have empathy you are aware of the heart and mind of the other, at the same time you are aware of your own heart and mind.

You weigh the differences between the two of you, using your intuition in deciding when to speak, what to challenge, or when to be supportive.

You are respectful of the other person because to be otherwise would break rapport. And without rapport, there is no relationship.

On the other hand, our “Aspies” may have a kind of one-way empathy. They may know what is in their own heart and mind, but can’t fathom what is in ours. And they don’t ask. They may get their feelings hurt, become enraged over a misunderstanding, or try to persuade us to their point of view. But this is not true empathy. If it were, we wouldn’t feel bullied, would we?

The purpose of this video conference is to clear up this misunderstanding and to find a language for speaking to those without empathy (what I call EmD-0) about the difference between One-Way Empathy and True Empathy.

If you have technical questions about using MeetUp, check our Guide to MeetUp here: https://asd-ntrelationships.com/guide-to-meetup/
We have over 10 years of questions from members answered in here.

You will be able to see the Zoom link for this conference on the event page after you pay the event fee. The fee is $18.95. After you register to attend, please click the Zoom link and join at the time of the video conference.