Talk:The Psychology of Autism and Relationships

Discover the unique aspects of autistic communication and gain practical strategies for strengthening relationships. Followed by Q+A.

Autistic individuals communicate and build relationships in unique ways with both autistic and non-autistic individuals. They may face challenges like camouflaging – adapting or minimising their behaviour to fit in – and social rejection. These experiences can be understood through Double Empathy Theory, which suggests that people with different worldviews may struggle to empathise with each other due to differences in language use and comprehension.

In this talk, Emine Gurbuz will unpack the distinctive nature of autistic communication, through the lens of Double Empathy Theory. She will focus on the role of non-autistic partners and explore how these experiences affect mental health. She will conclude by offering actionable insights and tools to bridge the gap and enhance understanding and communication between autistic and non-autistic individuals.

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm – come down early to grab a bite to eat!

Speaker Bio

Emine Gurbuz is a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth’s School of Psychology and Sport Sciences. She is part of the Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity Research which examines social interactions across human development. Her research supports families, children and professionals in education, employment and care settings. Emine uses Collaborative Participatory Research Approach to study the experiences of autistic adults using both qualitative and quantitative methods.