From Fern Brady to Hannah Gadsby, a host of comedians have discovered that they are autistic. What is it about standup that lends itself so well to neurodivergent people?
taking certain things literally as opposed to figuratively – it doesn’t mean you can’t understand jokes because there are plenty of completely literal jokes.
I also think one shouldn’t underestimate the ability to mask.
For example, for many years, I had to prevail among pubescent boys and picking out all the innuendoes out of innocent sentences was a surefire way to make them laugh.
So, to some people, I look completely prudent, because I’m in literal mode. Whereas when I’m among people with a pubescent humor, those innuendo-listening brain regions go online and I can easily be the person that finds the most double entendres.
I also think one shouldn’t underestimate the ability to mask.
For example, for many years, I had to prevail among pubescent boys and picking out all the innuendoes out of innocent sentences was a surefire way to make them laugh.
So, to some people, I look completely prudent, because I’m in literal mode. Whereas when I’m among people with a pubescent humor, those innuendo-listening brain regions go online and I can easily be the person that finds the most double entendres.