Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder results in a unique cultural experience based on unconventional norms for communication and social interaction distinct from those associated with non-autistic sociality. This paper proposes this phenomenon occurs not only because autistic individuals misunderstand non-autistic styles of communication, but also because majority group members lack the ability to understand and empathize with neurodivergent styles of communication.

Because communication is central to the therapeutic process, differences in language and styles of communication can pose significant barriers to establishing therapeutic relationships. For this reason, it is critically important for counselors to cultivate a greater sociological understanding of neurodiversity across all cultural contexts to develop therapeutic adaptations tailored to the needs of these individuals.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, neurodiversity, culture, autistic sociality

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