When people think about autism, they often assume it means not understanding or caring about other people’s feelings. But for many autistic individuals, it can actually be the opposite.
Some experience hyperempathy, which means they feel other people’s emotions very strongly—sometimes even more strongly than the person feeling them.
Hyperempathy can show up in everyday life in simple ways. A child might cry when they see another kid upset, even if they don’t know them.
They might feel anxious in a room where there’s tension, even if no one has said anything. They may get deeply affected by sad movies, news stories, or even an animal that looks uncomfortable.
It can also look like:
- Picking up on tiny changes in someone’s tone or mood
- Feeling responsible for making others feel better
- Getting overwhelmed when someone else is stressed or angry
- Having a strong sense of fairness and getting very upset by injustice
The tricky part is that feeling so much can be exhausting. When emotions from others pile up, it can lead to shutdowns, meltdowns, or a strong need to be alone to recover. Sometimes the feelings are there, but putting them into words is hard, so the person may seem quiet or withdrawn even though they care deeply.
With support, kids and adults with hyperempathy can learn how to recognize what they’re feeling, understand which emotions belong to them and which belong to others, and find ways to calm their nervous system.
When that happens, this deep sensitivity often becomes a beautiful strength—showing up as kindness, compassion, and a big heart for the people (and animals) around them.
At Connect N Care ABA, we see hyperempathy as a strength, not a weakness. Feeling deeply can be beautiful, but it can also be overwhelming without the right tools.
That’s why we focus on helping children learn emotional awareness, boundaries, and calming strategies through personalized ABA therapy at home, supportive school-based ABA therapy, and engaging center-based ABA therapy.
We also guide caregivers through ABA parent training so families can better understand big emotions and know how to respond with confidence and calm.
We proudly serve families across North Carolina and Virginia, helping children turn emotional sensitivity into emotional strength.
Reach out to Connect N Care ABA today and let’s support your child in learning to manage big feelings in a healthy, empowering way.
FAQs
Is hyperempathy common in autism?
Yes. While autism is often misunderstood as a lack of empathy, many autistic individuals actually feel emotions very deeply and strongly.
How is hyperempathy different from typical empathy?
Hyperempathy means feeling others’ emotions so intensely that it can become overwhelming or hard to separate from your own feelings.
Can hyperempathy cause meltdowns?
It can. Absorbing too many emotions at once may overload the nervous system, leading to shutdowns or emotional outbursts.
How can therapy help with hyperempathy?
Therapy can teach emotional regulation, coping skills, and ways to identify which feelings belong to the child versus others.
How can parents support a hyperempathetic child at home?
By validating feelings, creating calm routines, teaching emotional boundaries, and using strategies learned through parent training and therapy.
Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9804307/
- https://www.verywellmind.com/hyper-empathy-in-autism-8426957
- https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/hyper-empathy-autism/
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/autism-and-empathy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39371354/
