Oxytocin, the " cuddle chemical", boy do I get an excess of that stuff when I give birth! Love it! I was told by a psychologist that I " over identify" with suffering, too much empathy - actually its disabling as I feel pain - literally - and can black out when I hear someone scream in distress. I guess this is all about being social animals. Is autism connected with our intellectual abilities more??
However, folk with autism I know definitely are empathetic - blunt speaking sometimes, yes and like to do things in a certain order - but I find them very sensitive to others ONCE they understand what the other person requires/ feels etc, it seems to be that initial UNPACKING of the situation/ needs/ social requirements that can be problematic. Am I on the right track??
I am a great believer in evolutionary psychology, autism spectrum and associated issues seem to me to be what has enabled humanity to progress - its the key to how we began to " think different".... Its not for nothing that its associated with high IQ and other schizo typal behaviours with high levels of creativity...
My tupence worth!
Thank you Kate, would love to hear morexperiences/ info