Missing the Joke: Why ADHD & Autistic Brains Struggle With Sarcasm

Do you constantly wonder, “Wait… was that a joke?”

If sarcasm, tone, metaphors, or deadpan humor confuse you — you are not alone. ADHD and autistic brains process non-literal language differently, which means jokes, sarcasm, and subtle social cues often take longer to decode… if we decode them at all.

In this episode, I share:

- Why neurodivergent people miss jokes or take things literally

- How sarcasm and tone rely on processing systems that work differently in ADHD/autistic brains

- Real stories of awkward moments, misunderstandings, and accidental dark humor

- Why this has NOTHING to do with intelligence

- What you can do to feel more confident in social situations without changing who you are

If you’ve ever laughed at something that wasn’t a joke… or stood there silent while everyone else laughed — this episode will make you feel seen.

About Me: I’m Ashley, a life coach helping neurodivergent adults find alignment, regulate their nervous systems, and build lives that actually fit how they function. New episodes every week.