New research dismantles the myth that autistic people struggle to communicate, revealing that communication is equally effective—just different—between autistic and non-autistic individuals.
Key Points at a Glance
- Study finds no difference in how effectively autistic and non-autistic people share information.
- Differences lie in communication style, not ability—challenging stereotypes and stigma.
- Autistic individuals prefer communicating with other autistic people, mirroring non-autistic preferences.
- Researchers call for a shift in perspective: from deficit to difference in autistic communication.
- Findings could reshape support strategies and foster more inclusive social spaces.
For decades, autism has been linked to communication challenges—but a major new study led by the University of Edinburgh calls that assumption into question. Published in Nature Human Behaviour, the research shows that autistic people communicate just as effectively as non-autistic individuals—though in distinct, often misunderstood ways.
The study involved 311 participants—some autistic, some not—who were asked to play a game of “story telephone” in groups made up of either all autistic, all non-autistic, or mixed individuals. The goal? To determine how much of the original story survived as it was passed from person to person. The result? No significant difference in communication success across the three group types.
This finding challenges a longstanding clinical and societal belief: that autistic individuals inherently lack social communication skills. According to the researchers, the social disconnect often experienced by autistic people doesn’t stem from an inability to communicate—but rather from differences in communication styles.
“Autistic people tend to be more direct and may interpret or express social cues differently,” explains Dr. Catherine Crompton, lead author and Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences. “But that doesn’t mean their communication is deficient—just different.”
The study revealed that both autistic and non-autistic individuals preferred communicating with others who shared their neurotype. Autistic participants found exchanges with fellow autistic individuals easier and more enjoyable, just as non-autistic people preferred communication with their peers.
These mutual preferences highlight what experts call the “double empathy problem”—a concept proposing that misunderstandings arise not from one-sided deficits, but from mismatched expectations and interpretations between neurodiverse individuals.
The implications of this research are profound. Historically, much of autism-focused communication support has aimed to correct autistic traits to align with non-autistic norms. But this study suggests that communication between neurotypes is not about “fixing” one side—it’s about understanding and bridging the gap between two valid, functional styles.
Dr. Crompton emphasizes the need to reframe how society understands autistic communication. “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.”
The findings echo a growing movement in neurodiversity advocacy, which urges professionals, educators, and employers to recognize autism not as a disorder to be corrected, but as a difference to be accommodated and respected.
Funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, the study also involved researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of Nottingham, and the University of Glasgow. It builds upon earlier, smaller studies by the same team and strengthens the case for overhauling outdated ideas in both public discourse and clinical practice.
For autistic people whose voices have often been marginalized or misinterpreted, this study offers scientific validation of what many have long known: communication is not one-size-fits-all—and it’s time we listened better.
Source: University of Edinburgh
