For decades, the dominant narrative around autism and communication has focused on “deficits” — what autistic children supposedly lack in social or communicative ability.

But new research highlighted in Medical Xpress adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting something much more nuanced — and much more hopeful.

The study found that communication challenges between autistic and non-autistic people may stem less from individual deficits and more from unconscious differences in communication styles.

In other words: it’s not that autistic children can’t communicate.

It’s that we’re often speaking different social languages.

The “Double Empathy” Insight

Researchers observed interactions between autistic adults, non-autistic adults, and mixed pairs. What they found reinforces the “double empathy problem” — the idea that misunderstandings arise mutually between autistic and neurotypical people, rather than being caused solely by autistic communication differences.

Autistic participants often communicated effectively with other autistic individuals.

But when paired with non-autistic participants, subtle mismatches in timing, expectation, body language, or conversational rhythm emerged.

Neither group was “wrong.”

They were simply operating from different social frameworks.

This matters — especially for how we think about autistic children.

Rethinking Communication in Autistic Kids

If autistic adults communicate effectively with each other, then autistic children likely do as well, which raises an important question:

Are we sometimes misinterpreting difference as dysfunction?

Many communication interventions have historically focused on helping autistic children mimic neurotypical norms — eye contact, conversational turn-taking patterns, facial expressions, scripted responses.

But what if the goal isn’t imitation?

What if the goal is translation?

At Burble, we see communication as connection — not compliance.

That means:

• Valuing authentic expression

• Supporting multimodal communication (speech, AAC, gestures, text)

• Helping families and educators learn to recognize autistic communication patterns

• Creating shared understanding instead of forcing conformity

Communication Is a Two-Way Street

If communication breakdowns are relational rather than individual, then responsibility doesn’t fall solely on the child.

It becomes shared.

That shift changes everything.

Instead of asking:
“How do we get this child to communicate more normally?”

We ask:
“How do we build bridges between communication styles?”

This perspective reduces shame.
It increases curiosity.
And it opens space for real connection.

What This Means for Parents and Educators

1. Assume competence.

2. Look for patterns in how the child naturally communicates.

3. Expand the communication environment — don’t narrow the child.

4. Support peer-to-peer autistic connection when possible.

5. Focus on mutual understanding, not masking.

Communication growth happens best when children feel safe being themselves, and when adults are willing to meet them halfway.

Moving From Correction to Connection

The emerging science of autistic communication is reframing the conversation.

Autistic people aren’t broken communicators, they are different communicators.

When we honor that difference, we unlock creativity, resilience, and authentic relationship.

At Burble, we believe every child deserves to be understood — not reshaped.

And sometimes the most powerful intervention is listening differently.