Milton (2012) explores the ontological status of autism, arguing that the traditional view of autism as a deficit in 'theory of mind' is flawed. He introduces the 'double empathy problem', highlighting the mutual misunderstanding between autistic individuals and neurotypical (NT) people. The 'double empathy problem' refers to the disjuncture in reciprocity between two differently disposed social actors, where both experience the issue, but it is more severe for the non-autistic side as it is seen as unusual. The author critiques the cognitive-behavioural discourse that reduces autism to a neurological disorder, ignoring the social and relational aspects of autism. He argues that the 'theory of mind' deficit is a re-framing of the issue as a question of reciprocity and mutuality. The article also discusses the stigma of being 'othered' and the normalisation agenda, which can lead to internalised oppression and psycho-emotional disablement. The author highlights the lack of autonomy for autistic individuals in the current system, where they are often treated as 'products' of the industry rather than as individuals with their own voices. The implications for service providers are discussed, with a call for a more inclusive and empowering approach to autism. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a more holistic understanding of autism, moving beyond the traditional definitions of social deficit. The article challenges the dominant narratives in autism research and calls for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to understanding autism.Milton (2012) explores the ontological status of autism, arguing that the traditional view of autism as a deficit in 'theory of mind' is flawed. He introduces the 'double empathy problem', highlighting the mutual misunderstanding between autistic individuals and neurotypical (NT) people. The 'double empathy problem' refers to the disjuncture in reciprocity between two differently disposed social actors, where both experience the issue, but it is more severe for the non-autistic side as it is seen as unusual. The author critiques the cognitive-behavioural discourse that reduces autism to a neurological disorder, ignoring the social and relational aspects of autism. He argues that the 'theory of mind' deficit is a re-framing of the issue as a question of reciprocity and mutuality. The article also discusses the stigma of being 'othered' and the normalisation agenda, which can lead to internalised oppression and psycho-emotional disablement. The author highlights the lack of autonomy for autistic individuals in the current system, where they are often treated as 'products' of the industry rather than as individuals with their own voices. The implications for service providers are discussed, with a call for a more inclusive and empowering approach to autism. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a more holistic understanding of autism, moving beyond the traditional definitions of social deficit. The article challenges the dominant narratives in autism research and calls for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to understanding autism.