Yes, children with autism can understand emotions, but they may process and express them differently. Many kids on the spectrum have difficulty recognizing facial expressions, tone of voice, or body language, which can make it harder to interpret how others feel. This doesn’t mean they lack empathy—it simply means they need extra support to develop emotional awareness.
Some children may focus more on the literal meaning of words rather than the emotional cues behind them. Others might feel overwhelmed by emotions and struggle to express their own feelings in ways people expect. With the right strategies, like visual aids, social stories, and ABA therapy, children can learn to better recognize and respond to emotions in themselves and others.
ABA therapy uses evidence-based techniques to help children identify emotional cues, practice social interactions, and build stronger connections with family, peers, and teachers. Over time, this can lead to improved communication and more meaningful relationships.
At Little Champs ABA, we help children with autism through ABA therapy in Utah and Colorado build essential social and emotional skills in a way that feels natural and supportive.
Want to help your child understand emotions better? Contact us today to get started!
SOURCES:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/development/social-emotional-development/recognising-understanding-emotions-autistic-children-teens
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2781897/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2997252/
https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/people-with-autism-can-read-emotions-feel-empathy/
https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/managing-emotions/