Social ability stereotypes about autistic people challenged in new study

The stereotype that autistic people lack social ability has been challenged in a new study from the University of Edinburgh, which found no significant difference in the effectiveness of how autistic and non-autistic people communicate.

The study tested how effectively information was passed between 311 autistic and non-autistic people and found that social difficulties often faced by autistic people are more about differences in how autistic and non-autistic people communicate rather than a deficiency.

Researchers hope the results of the study will help reduce the stigma surrounding autism and lead to more effective communication support for autistic people.

Bridging the communication gap for autistic people

Participants were tested in groups where everyone was autistic, non-autistic, or a combination of both. The first person in the group heard a story from the researcher and passed it along to the next person. Each person had to remember and repeat the story, and the last person in the chain recalled the story aloud.

The amount of information passed on at each point in the chain was scored to determine how effectively participants shared the story. Researchers found no differences between autistic, non-autistic, and mixed groups.

After the task, participants rated how much they enjoyed interacting with the other participants based on how friendly, easy, or awkward the exchange was.

Researchers found that non-autistic people preferred interacting with others like themselves, and autistic people preferred learning from fellow autistic individuals. This is likely down to the different ways that autistic and non-autistic people communicate, experts say.

Dr Catherine Crompton, Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, said: “Autism has often been associated with social impairments, both colloquially and in clinical criteria. Researchers have spent a lot of time trying to ‘fix’ autistic communication, but this study shows that despite autistic and non-autistic people communicating differently it is just as successful.

“With opportunities for autistic people often limited by misconceptions and misunderstandings, this new research could lead the way to bridging the communication gap and create more inclusive spaces for all.”

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today. She has over 25 years of experience writing for medical journals and trade publications. Subjects include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, disability, insurance, stock market and emerging technologies. She is also a mother to a gorgeous 13-year-old boy who has a learning disability.

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