r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 08 '25

Neuroscience Specific neurons that secrete oxytocin in the brain are disrupted in a mouse model of autism, neuroscientists have found. Stimulating these neurons restored social behaviors in these mice. These findings could help to develop new ways to treat autism.

https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/rr/20250207_1/index.html
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u/CanGuilty380 Feb 09 '25

Yes I am. What is even the point of this question?

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u/kelcamer Feb 09 '25

It’s great that you’re aware of the diversity within autism, and I appreciate you sharing your perspective. What I’m trying to highlight is that our current understanding of autism—especially in research—might not fully capture what autism actually is for those who experience it.

The ‘double empathy problem,’ proposed by Dr. Damian Milton, suggests that many difficulties attributed to autistic people may actually stem from a mismatch in understanding between autistic and non-autistic individuals, rather than an inherent deficit in autistic people.

Current research often frames autism through a deficit-based lens, assuming that divergence from the neurotypical standard is a problem to be fixed. This perspective misses how autistic experiences are fundamentally different, not deficient. By focusing on ‘correcting’ these differences, we risk misunderstanding and pathologizing natural variations in human experience.

Autism might be broader and more complex than current research or clinical definitions capture. The double empathy problem highlights that non-autistic people also struggle to understand autistic people, but their struggles aren’t pathologized. If we shift the focus to mutual understanding and acceptance, we may uncover aspects of autism that go beyond current assumptions, helping everyone—including those who seek support—in a more accurate and inclusive way.

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u/CanGuilty380 Feb 09 '25

I really want to write a constructive respnse to you and have a proper discussion about this, but the claim that autism isn’t a deficiency and just makes them different, just makes me mad. It minimizes so many autistic peoples experience. So I’m jist gonna go to bed.

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u/TheLastBallad Feb 09 '25

And the inability to recognize that a highly variable difference can be a difficency in some and not in others pisses me off because that also minimizes so many autistic peoples experiences, including mine.

But do continue to speak for others.

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u/kelcamer Feb 09 '25

Deficiency and disability aren't the same thing, though.

Yes, autism is a disability.

No, it doesn't make us deficient humans.

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u/d1rron Feb 10 '25

"Deficient" has more than one definition. Are you sure you're interpreting the correct one in this context?