NeuroWise: A Multi-Agent LLM "Glass-Box" System for Practicing Double-Empathy Communication with Autistic Partners
This addresses communication challenges for neurotypical individuals interacting with autistic partners, offering an AI-based intervention that is incremental in applying existing LLM technology to a specific domain.
The paper tackled the double empathy problem by developing NeuroWise, a multi-agent LLM coaching system for neurotypical users to improve communication with autistic partners, resulting in reduced deficit-based attributions (p=0.02) and 37% fewer conversation turns (p=0.03).
The double empathy problem frames communication difficulties between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals as arising from mutual misunderstanding, yet most interventions focus on autistic individuals. We present NeuroWise, a multi-agent LLM-based coaching system that supports neurotypical users through stress visualization, interpretation of internal experiences, and contextual guidance. In a between-subjects study (N=30), NeuroWise was rated as helpful by all participants and showed a significant condition-time effect on deficit-based attributions (p=0.02): NeuroWise users reduced deficit framing, while baseline users shifted toward blaming autistic "deficits" after difficult interactions. NeuroWise users also completed conversations more efficiently (37% fewer turns, p=0.03). These findings suggest that AI-based interpretation can support attributional change by helping users recognize communication challenges as mutual.