New Delhi: A new study has found that autistic and non-autistic individuals communicate with equal effectiveness, directly challenging long-held assumptions that autistic people inherently struggle to connect with others. The research, conducted by experts at the University of Edinburgh and published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, suggests that social difficulties often attributed to autistic people may be more about mismatched communication styles than a lack of social ability.
The study involved 311 participants—both autistic and non-autistic—who were grouped in different configurations: all-autistic, all-non-autistic, and mixed. Participants took part in a communication exercise in which a story was passed down a "telephone game"-style chain. The first person in each group listened to a story from a researcher and then relayed it to the next person, continuing down the line. The final participant was asked to retell the story, and researchers assessed how much information was successfully transmitted at each step.
Surprisingly, the results showed no significant difference in the amount or accuracy of information shared, regardless of whether the group was autistic, non-autistic, or mixed. The findings reveal that autistic individuals are just as capable of effective communication as their non-autistic peers when given the opportunity to interact in familiar or understanding environments.
The study also noted a preference among both autistic and non-autistic individuals for communicating with those who share their neurotype, hinting at different but equally valid communication styles. Dr. Catherine Crompton, Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, emphasized the importance of these results:
“Autism has often been associated with social impairments, but this study shows that despite autistic and non-autistic people communicating differently, it is just as successful.”
The researchers hope the findings will help shift perspectives, reduce stigma, and support more inclusive communication practices that respect neurodiversity.
