Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Using the Visual World Paradigm to Study Sentence Comprehension in Mandarin-Speaking Children with Autism
Published on: October 3, 2018
'Here's the weavery looming up': verbal humour in a woman with high-functioning autism
Abstract:
A case study of Grace, a 29-year-old woman with high-functioning autism, is presented. Grace is unusual for a person with autism in that she produces a great deal of humorous and creative word play. She is also unusual in that she writes and then audio-records 'letters' to her family, and produces copious cartoon-like drawings which she annotates, with the result that multiple examples of her humour are available in permanent form. We present examples of Grace's use of puns, jokes, neologisms, 'portmanteau' words, irreverent humour, irony, sarcasm and word play based on her obsessional interests. The examples are used to illustrate the forms and content of Grace's humour, and are discussed in relation to current theories of autism and of normal humour.
Related Concept Videos
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Non-Verbal Cues
Schizophrenia
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

