Social Imagination and Autism

Photo by Kaleb Nimz on Unsplash

Some autistic people can experience social imagination differently. This article sheet explains social imagination and shares some supportive strategies.  

What is Social Imagination?  

Social imagination is the ability to understand and predict other people’s behaviour, even when it isn't stated out loud. It helps us imagine “what if” scenarios and understand abstract concepts. 

For autistic people, this doesn't mean a lack of creativity—many autistic people are highly creative. Instead, it refers to a specific difference in how the brain processes social information and change. 

Autistic people can experience this as: 

• Finding it hard to guess how someone will react to what you say or do. 

• Feeling distressed when a plan changes or something unexpected happens. 

• Preferring facts and logic over vague ideas or metaphors. 

• Feeling like everyone else has a secret list of social “rules” that you didn't receive. 

Strategies to Help 

Everyone is different, but here are some strategies that might help an autistic person: 

• Visual tools: Use calendars, planners, or apps to map out your week. Seeing your future in a visual format can reduce the anxiety of not knowing what comes next. 

• The Rule of Three: When facing a new situation, try to think of three possible outcomes (best case, worst case, and middle ground). This helps your brain prepare for variety rather than one fixed result. 

• Ask for “The Why”: If a social rule or a change in plan doesn't make sense, it is okay to ask for the logic behind it. Understanding the reasoning makes it easier to process. 

• Scripting: If you are worried about a social interaction, rehearse or write down a few opening and closing phrases. This provides a mental safety net. 

• Visualise the environment: Before going somewhere new, look at photos of the venue or use Google Street View. This makes the unimagined space familiar before you arrive.