Is that funny ?
With being neurodivergent , I have always found sarcasm and jokes very hard to understand. Most jokes I have had to have someone explain it for me before I understood and “got” the joke. By then everyone else doesn’t find it funny and the conversation has moved on.
Are they really my friend ?
With the problem of not understanding sarcasm, communication can be a problem. We think they are friends because they talk to us, but realistically they are bullying us and making fun of your neurodivergence. Once they know how vulnerable you are this can turn into mate crime with them pretending to be your friend.
Comedians
Having problems with understanding jokes and sarcasm you would think we wouldn’t understand comedians, but in my case that’s not true. It all depends on what they talk/ joke about. My favourite comedian is Lee Evans because he jokes about real life, so I can relate to the things he jokes about like his dog, babies, holidays, etc.
Not all of us
I just want to clarify that not all neurodivergent people have problems understanding jokes and sarcasm. Many of us like humour and can understand sarcasm. Not understanding sarcasm and jokes is known as a stereotype trait. We are not all like Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory), but in my case I am.
Don’t stare
In my lifetime I have faked laughing at jokes because I don’t like to be the only one who doesn’t laugh or understand the joke. Most of the time I just look blank or puzzled , people have gotten frustrated with me because I don’t find them funny. They just snap at me or just give a dirty look.
How can I help?
There is many ways you can help a neurodivergent person when it comes to jokes and sarcasm:
- Avoid joking and using sarcasm
- Be honest and direct
- Explain what you mean
- Don’t get angry, upset and frustrated if we don’t get your joke straight away
- Don’t take it personal
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