Autistic Language Hypothesis | Autisticality

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title “Autistic Language Hypothesis” in a multi-coloured circle on a green background

title “What is it?” with text: “The Autistic Language Hypothesis (ALH) is a hypothesis created by Autistic advocate and researcher, Rachel Cullen. The basis of the hypothesis is from the double empathy problem (by Damian Milton) in which Rachel suggests Autistic people communicate differently than non-Autistic people. This is due to language differences.”

title “What does this mean?” with text: “The hypothesis indicates that where non-Autistic people process sentences as a whole unit of information together whereas Autistic people process words as a whole unit of information. This can result in lots of questions in order to clarify what has been said i.e., who, why, how, where, what and when”

title “How does this work?” with text: “For example, if someone was to ask:” with a pink text bubble saying, “Do you like potatoes?” with one arrow going to “Autistic Person” and another to “non-Autistic person”. Under Autistic person in bullet points:
• “What sort of potatoes?
• Plain potatoes or in another form?
• When? In the evenings/at the weekends?
• Like them in what way?”
Under non-Autistic person in bullet points:
• “(Depending on context) Yes/No/I guess
• Why?”

title “The Implications” with text: “By understanding the differences in communication and language processing for Autistic people we can be more empathetic and accommodating. For example, by changing the language to be more specific and thus eliminating the need for further questions from what someone has said/asked, communication can be less overwhelming and more fluid between Autistic and non-Autistic people.”

Check out Rachel Cullen's page and website:
https://cullenconsultancy167685232.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CullenConsultancy

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