Is it a myth that autistic people lack empathy?

Today we discuss the topic of autism & empathy. Some people say autistic people have little or no empathy. Others say this is a myth & they (if anything) have too much empathy. Here is Alex's perspective on this topic

[ZacharySahuque]

My hardest part is understanding when people are rude, hateful, or take their problems out on others. It's been very difficult for me to learn this, and my first reaction when someone is bad to me is still, "I didn't cause your problem, don't take it out on me".

[TheBaconWizard]

I measure around 36 on the scale and am very high functioning. I can assure you that I feel empathy VERY acutely, but I sometimes don't realize something in others that I would typically empathize-with, nor do I always express it well.
I agree with Alex that it comes very naturally when it's something I recognise from my own experiences, and otherwise it's much more difficult and I have to work hard to try and understand.

[katiemiaana]

Thank you i think you have a really balanced perspective, which is really good. Theory of mind is social understanding which a lot of autistic people struggle with, but I don't think that necessarily means they don't feel states like empathy.

[tonysilva]

I would like to hear about the the data statistics studies, and I think individual opinions are important as well especially if one is autistic and speaking from an autistic point of view it offers great Insight however without the data it is very difficult to gain very clear understanding. Economic freedoms and sounds monetary policies help to nurture developed sound mind, self-worth and maturity and and turn from their from the self-sustainability and security that is established through economic freedoms and good monetary policies helps Foster and maintain love, empathy and forgiveness. There is of course the argument. As it relates to autistic people one thing that has been pointed out is the Mercury in the vaccines that's supposedly brought on the onset of autism, we understand and know that mercury exposure reduces one's capacity for empathy and so it is possible that it is due to more than one calls other than economic freedom and sound monetary policies but in addition it could also be due to Mercury adjuvants in vaccines.