Humour, Neurodivergence and the Brain: Why Funny Minds Work Differently

Why do so many neurodivergent people gravitate toward humour — and why are so many comedians, improvisers, writers and quick thinkers neurodivergent themselves?

Emerging research suggests that humour may be deeply connected to many neurodivergent traits, including pattern recognition, divergent thinking, emotional processing, sensory sensitivity, masking, social navigation and nervous system regulation.

This interactive session explores the two-way relationship between humour and neurodivergence: how neurodivergent brains may process humour differently — and how humour itself can become a powerful tool for regulation, connection, resilience and survival.

Research areas we’ll explore:

• Divergent thinking, creativity and unexpected associations
• Pattern recognition, rapid cognition and comedic timing
• Dopamine, novelty-seeking and ADHD humour styles
• Masking, social adaptation and humour as communication
• Nervous system regulation, stress relief and laughter physiology
• Humour, rejection sensitivity and emotional processing
• Why humour can both support and hide burnout
• The overlap between trauma responses, hypervigilance and observational comedy

We’ll also explore:

• Why many neurodivergent people use humour instinctively in difficult situations
• Why quick wit can sometimes develop from social adaptation
• The difference between connecting humour and defensive humour
• Why some ND people feel “too much” and joke their way through it
• What current research supports — and where evidence is still emerging

Expect a science-informed but highly interactive session blending neuroscience, psychology, lived experience and humour itself. Through discussion, reflection and real-world examples, we’ll explore why funny brains often work differently — and how humour can become both a coping strategy and a form of connection, creativity and regulation.

Presented by:

Jennifer Lara Clarke of Switzerland, in collaboration with Neurodiversity Belgium (NDB)

Jennifer is a communications strategist, coach, facilitator and comedy storyteller who is deeply fascinated by why some of the funniest people also happen to have very busy nervous systems.

With a background spanning global communications, leadership coaching and behaviour change, Jennifer combines science, humour and lived experience to create interactive sessions on neurodivergence, resilience, creativity and human connection. Her work explores how humour can function as a coping strategy, communication tool, nervous system regulator and survival skill — particularly for neurodivergent people navigating an overwhelming world.

She believes some brains don’t just think differently. They also joke differently.

Format:
Online event

Hosted by:
Swiss Pride Team and Neurodiversity Belgium

This webinar will be delivered in English, with French subtitles available.

Jennifer Lara Clarke: https://www.jennaclarke.com/
Contact: events@neurodiversity.be