Historically, autistic people have been demonized for differences in how we connect and understand emotions. It's taken as a given that 'empathy' is an intuitive, universal human quality, and those of us who lack an empathy instinct are seen as dangerous and unsympathetic. But in Empathy Takes Action, Aimee Cliff challenges us to question the 'universal' in human psychology and relationships, and uses careful argumentation and a close study of social dynamics to argue that what really matters is how we show up for each other.--Devon Price, PhD, author of Unmasking Autism

In this warm and insightful book, Aimee Cliff offers an invaluable reframing of the nature of empathy: Empathy is not a static trait, but a practice one can develop.--Nick Walker, PhD, author of Neuroqueer Heresies

A beautifully observed exploration of what it really means to understand another person. Aimee Cliff blends personal story, psychology, and cultural insight to reveal why empathy is so often misunderstood--and how we can truly connect beyond assumptions. It's a book about tuning in, slowing down, and learning to hear what isn't always spoken. Wise, honest, and quietly transformative.--Emma Reed Turrell, author of Please Yourself and host of podcast Best Friend Therapy

A much-needed guide to empathy--what it really is, what it isn't, and all the ways in which we can put it to transformative use.--Joanne Limburg, author of Letters to My Weird Sisters

Clear-eyed, forensic, and humane. . . . [Empathy Takes Action] challenges outdated assumptions about how we understand autistic people and each other. Empathy as a collective learning exercise is something we could all do with more of.--Sophie Walker, author of Five Rules for Rebellion

Sharp, funny, and brilliant--a book that needed to be written.--Dr. Camilla Pang, author of Explaining Humans

Publisher: Experiment

Pub date: 2026-03-31

Length: 272 pages