Did You Hear the One?

~ Clearly Muddled Blog ~

Doing stand up comedy is basically having a conversation with someone…there just happens to be a whole bunch of someone’s.  We take turns using our voices, and while I’m sharing my insight, the audience interprets and reacts. It’s a perfect way for someone on the autism spectrum to learn how personal interactions can work.

Studies have been done on whether or not a person with autism has a sense of humor, and it’s one of those things that surprised me. Why do a study, when you can just talk to those individuals and you’ll see that the answer is a big giant yes. The researchers are asking the wrong question, and missing the obvious. Put like-minded people with shared interests and autism together, and you’ll hear conversation…and laughter. Okay, not every time…comedians don’t even do that! But, we don’t stop trying.

Here’s the skinny: Josh doesn’t always understand when sarcasm is being used, though he does use it himself…usually at inappropriate times. He has a hard time comprehending open ended questions and abstract statements, and when a joke utilizes either one, it’s met with a cold glare of comedic death. Physical humor is hilarious to him, unless someone gets hurt (emotional pain does not count). Self deprecation seems to be a type of humor that eludes Josh entirely, when coming from someone else…and he’s too in tune with himself to mock his own inabilities. Because really, those are issues belonging to the neurotypicals anyway.

Josh has a great sense of humor, and laughs a lot. He makes me laugh a lot…even when it’s due to an ill placed punch line. Or inappropriate timing. Or something that makes no sense all all! And sometimes his brilliance is effortless, and makes us all laugh like a 4 year old hearing the word poop. It’s just funny.

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Listen to the Podcast: Josh Has Autism #090: BaDa Boom | http://sonyaking.com/bada-boom