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?
To add: If your brand of autism comes with echolalia and mimicry, then you are probably like me in that you have pulled funny facial expressions and manners of speech from other people and popular media throughout your life. And if, like me, you happen to have had low self-worth throughout your life as a side effect of the social awkwardness that autism yields, then you might use your echolalia and mimicry to your advantage by being “the funny one”.
It’s a mask, to be sure, but it’s had it’s advantages. I’m in my mid-40s now, and multiple people have told me I’m the funniest person they’ve ever met. I’ve long felt like I’d kill it as a stand-up, but my hyperfixations haven’t yet led me in that direction.
To add: If your brand of autism comes with echolalia and mimicry, then you are probably like me in that you have pulled funny facial expressions and manners of speech from other people and popular media throughout your life. And if, like me, you happen to have had low self-worth throughout your life as a side effect of the social awkwardness that autism yields, then you might use your echolalia and mimicry to your advantage by being “the funny one”.
It’s a mask, to be sure, but it’s had it’s advantages. I’m in my mid-40s now, and multiple people have told me I’m the funniest person they’ve ever met. I’ve long felt like I’d kill it as a stand-up, but my hyperfixations haven’t yet led me in that direction.