There are moments when a single sentence is enough to make everyone grin. It might come from a movie, or perhaps a child invented it themselves—and ever since, it pops up precisely when the morning threatens to take a turn for the worse. Psychologist Andrea Samson, from the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FernUni Schweiz), explains that for some families, humor becomes a shared language—one that fosters closeness and makes difficult moments easier to navigate. Together with her team, she is currently researching the role that humor plays in the well-being of autistic children and adolescents.
Why is regulating emotions so exhausting?
Managing emotions requires energy, and the brain needs available resources to do so. In autistic children, these resources can sometimes be depleted more quickly because their brains filter information differently and have to process a greater number of stimuli. If an especially intense emotion is added to the mix, the situation can very rapidly tip into complete overwhelm.
Furthermore, many people do not find it easy to recognize their own emotions. If someone does not know exactly what is going on inside them, they will also struggle to respond to it appropriately. Samson also points out that autistic children are often given fewer opportunities to learn helpful strategies. Her research shows, however, that autistic individuals are just as capable of learning and applying such strategies as anyone else, provided they are given the opportunity to do so.
Can one actually “practice” humor?
While humor is partly linked to personality, according to Samson, many of its forms can be fostered and discovered together. This can happen through playful exercises or simply by sharing funny moments from everyday life. For autistic children, humor can thus serve as an accessible way to gain some distance from a difficult situation and to relieve tension.
At the same time, it’s about more than just defusing crises. By intentionally incorporating small, amusing moments into the day, you create positive experiences—something that often gets short shrift in everyday life.
The researcher explicitly views humor as a complement to other ways of dealing with emotions. Furthermore, what a child finds funny varies greatly, and children should be allowed to decide this for themselves. Her team is currently investigating exactly how humor functions within the brain.
Want more from JuCare?
Learning how to manage emotions is possible—autistic children simply need the right opportunity. You can find information on how we support them in this process on our autism therapy page. You can also request therapy directly here.
For regular insights into autism, check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.
