Do People with Autism Lack Empathy and Compassion?

Perhaps we need to ask more questions before accepting the premise that individuals with ASD lack empathy and compassion. 

This picture of Nick, with his best childhood friend Joey, clearly shows that our kids do show compassion and care for each other. I don't remember what was happening with the boys when this picture was taken, but clearly Nick knew something was wrong, and wanted Joey to put his head back up, and go back to being Joey. I agree that our spectrum kiddo's do not always respond with empathy or compassion in the traditional manner, or in ways that socially appropriate or useful in emergencies. However, I think we take a big leap when we decide our kiddo's do not experience empathy. This picture makes me think and I wonder, maybe their experience is not nonexistent, is just not the same as ours? Maybe they are experiencing it but do not comprehend their own emotions. Maybe they lack the language to express them. Maybe the knowledge that sharing their emotions are important.

Response from Joey's mom and hour after this post...Well, we all know that our kids are actually empaths, and that is also part of the reason why they avoid contact sometimes - they get overwhelmed with others' emotions!  Scott said that picture was taken once when he took the boys out for lunch, and Joe was being snippy, and Scott kinda put him in his place.  Joe put his head down in shame, and Nicky wanted him to not cry.  So, so, so sweet.