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Autism and humour

Lotus

I've just watched some episodes of Elementary (season 4) where Sherlock is dating an autistic woman (who describes herself as neuro-atypical). His character's behaviour also suggests he is on the spectrum.

It suddenly hit me how serious they both are - neither seem capable of sharing a joke ( with each other or with other friends/ colleagues) and they never laugh.

My partner and I are both "neuro-atypical" and we share a well developed sense of humour. Over the years, I have cried a lot, been worried a lot, but have laughed a lot too.

I can't think of one autistic character on TV, in movies etc that has been portrayed as having a sense of humour. Surely it's not that uncommon?

Parents

  • Jananda, your sense of humour sounds very similar to mine.

    I love Blackadder, Hitchhikers Guide, Monty Python, Have I Got News For You & of course Milton Jones with his brilliant use of misdirection in language.

    I can't stand humour based on cruelty though, so for example I absolutely hated one of the most popular TV shows 'Only Fools & Horses', as I couldn't stand the way that the central character couldn't see that everyone was laughing at him. There was one Xmas special where he somehow acquired a rich girlfriend & went to a formal dinner with her parents. He genuinely thought he was creating a good impression & couldn't see how they were sneering at him the whole time. So many people have said that was the best episode, but I found it excruciately cruel & uncomfortable to watch.

    Similarly I found several episodes of 'Fawlty Towers' uncomfortable because to me it was like being expected to laugh at someone on the verge of a mental breakdown who was also in danger of having a heart attack.

    I do like some slapstick humour though, as I found 'The Young Ones' extremely funny & that was full of it. Also, for those old enough to remember it, who didn't love TISWAS?

    I was bullied a lot as a child though too, so maybe the reason I don't like cruel humour really is that I was all to often on the receiving end of it.

    Keep smiling!

Reply

  • Jananda, your sense of humour sounds very similar to mine.

    I love Blackadder, Hitchhikers Guide, Monty Python, Have I Got News For You & of course Milton Jones with his brilliant use of misdirection in language.

    I can't stand humour based on cruelty though, so for example I absolutely hated one of the most popular TV shows 'Only Fools & Horses', as I couldn't stand the way that the central character couldn't see that everyone was laughing at him. There was one Xmas special where he somehow acquired a rich girlfriend & went to a formal dinner with her parents. He genuinely thought he was creating a good impression & couldn't see how they were sneering at him the whole time. So many people have said that was the best episode, but I found it excruciately cruel & uncomfortable to watch.

    Similarly I found several episodes of 'Fawlty Towers' uncomfortable because to me it was like being expected to laugh at someone on the verge of a mental breakdown who was also in danger of having a heart attack.

    I do like some slapstick humour though, as I found 'The Young Ones' extremely funny & that was full of it. Also, for those old enough to remember it, who didn't love TISWAS?

    I was bullied a lot as a child though too, so maybe the reason I don't like cruel humour really is that I was all to often on the receiving end of it.

    Keep smiling!

Children
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