SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - On a dimly lit stage in a packed comedy club, Xiao Wang leaned into the mic.
“There are so many things women aren’t allowed to do. We can’t sit at ancestral altars, we can’t step into dragon boats… does anyone know why?”
A few audience members called out.
“Right, because menstrual blood is ‘unclean’!”
Laughter rippled through the room as Wang shook their head.
“I don’t get it—how do they think we’re sitting in these boats? Running around naked? Dripping everywhere?” They dramatically glanced around, wiped an imaginary seat, and carefully sat down.
“And you know what? It’s not just China. In Hollywood, women aren’t even allowed to sit on prop boxes. Same reason. Apparently, menstrual blood is that powerful.”
They leaned in with a smirk.
“So this Lunar New Year, forget putting up protective door god images on your doors. Just slap two used pads on your doorway. Boom. Protection from both Chinese ghosts and American ones!”
The audience erupted.
For Xiao Wang, a queer, nonbinary Chinese comedian who also works in tech, comedy isn’t just about making people laugh. It’s a way to process the world, a world that, for an autistic person, has never made much sense.
“Being autistic means constantly analyzing social rules that everyone else seems to follow effortlessly,” Wang said. “But I never knew exactly what made me different, so I spent my life trying to mask it. In conversations, I’d wait to speak last, trying to make sure what I said wouldn’t stand out. Comedy lets me drop that act.”
For many neurodivergent comedians, stand-up is an act of unmasking. It’s about shedding the years spent mimicking social norms and finally speaking the truths they were conditioned to suppress.
Neurodivergence, particularly ADHD, has become increasingly visible in society. According to a 2024 CDC report, approximately 6.0% of U.S. adults have a current ADHD diagnosis, totaling about 15.5 million people. Notably, around half of these adults were diagnosed in adulthood, underscoring the growing recognition of ADHD beyond childhood.
A growing number of comedians are openly discussing their diagnoses, and all interviewees have observed a high prevalence of ADHD in creative fields.
Dr. Theresa Haskins, a USC researcher on neurodiversity, said neurodivergent individuals often gravitate toward stand-up. “The nature of stand-up rewards quick thinking, hyperfocus, and the ability to make unexpected connections—traits that many people with ADHD naturally possess.”
Jesse Appell, a bilingual comedian who performs in both the U.S. and China, reflected on how ADHD shaped his career path. “Being a comedian means I don’t have to explain to a boss why I can’t sit still in a meeting. I get to work for myself, set my own rules, and use my brain the way it works best.”
Historically, ADHD and autism have been underdiagnosed in women and nonbinary individuals. Research from the University of Cambridge indicates that diagnostic criteria were originally based on cisgender male behaviors, leading many women to go undiagnosed until adulthood.
Dr. Haskins explained that autism used to be diagnosed differently, with conditions like Asperger’s syndrome classified separately.
The shift to a broader autism spectrum has improved understanding and highlighted how autism presents differently in women and nonbinary individuals. Many learned to mask their traits in childhood, making their struggles less visible and delaying diagnosis until adulthood.
Both Wang and Amy Yu, a Chinese-Canadian comedian, were diagnosed with ADHD and/or autism in their late 20s.
“I spent my whole childhood thinking I was just bad at being normal,” Yu shared. “It turns out, I wasn’t bad at being normal—I was neurodivergent, but no one knew.”
Wang pointed out that beyond gender, ethnicity also influences how autism is perceived and diagnosed. They noted that in East Asia, where collectivism is emphasized, the expectation to conform and mask is even greater than in Western societies that value individualism.
Collectivism is a cultural framework that prioritizes group harmony, social cohesion and the needs of the community over individual expression. In these societies, standing out or behaving differently is often discouraged, making it more likely for autistic traits to be masked or overlooked.
“Many late-diagnosed East Asians, including myself, have spent years reflecting on which parts of our behavior are truly autistic traits and which are things we’ve learned to mask,” Wang said.
“Comedy is vulnerable,” Yu said. “We reflect on personal experiences, observe society and put our truth out there. But when people laugh, it’s like a shared relief. It’s a way to say, ‘You’re not alone,’ and that’s really powerful.”
For many, the hardest part isn’t performing—it’s everything else.
“ADHD helps on stage. The problem is invoicing, remembering tax deadlines, and planning long-term projects,” Appell admitted.
Yu added that the hardest part isn’t coming up with material—she always has too much. The challenge is cutting it down, refining it, and figuring out which jokes really work.
Beyond the technical challenges of editing material and managing logistics, many neurodivergent comedians also struggle with feeling alone in their experiences.
Yu learned about how to regulate anxiety, how to deal with ADHD and depression from other comedians because many of her colleagues went through the same thing. “We’re all warriors and survivors,” she said.
While comedians like Yu find support in their creative communities, many workplaces still rely on rigid systems that don’t accommodate diverse ways of thinking.
Appell, who runs a tea company alongside his comedy career, applies the stand-up mindset to his business by structuring work around his team’s strengths rather than adhering to traditional productivity models.
“We work in bursts of high energy, and I make sure we lean into that instead of forcing a rigid structure. It’s about adapting to how people actually function rather than trying to fit everyone into the same mold,” Appell said.
Wang recalls how small accommodations can make a huge difference.
They were nervous about asking for a quieter desk at work, but their manager was really open to it. It was a small change that made a huge difference in their ability to focus.
Educational institutions also play a crucial role in setting the foundation for neurodivergent success.
Dr. Haskins believes institutions like USC can foster greater inclusivity for neurodivergent individuals. She advocates for clearer pathways, such as mentorship programs and sensory-friendly spaces, but emphasizes that true change requires a cultural shift—one where students can seek support without fear of stigma.
Stand-up is all about turning struggles into punchlines. For neurodivergent comedians like Xiao Wang, Amy Yu, and Jesse Appell, that means finding humor in everything from masking to missing tax deadlines. On stage, their quirks aren’t something to hide, they’re what make them funny.
Offstage, the world still has some catching up to do. Schools, workplaces, and comedy clubs could all take a cue from a good stand-up set. Know your audience, adapt when needed, and make things easier, not harder.
Neurodivergent comedians are making their voices heard. Whether the world is ready or not, they’ve got the mic—and they’re keeping it.
Editor’s note: Xiao Wang is a pseudonym used for safety reasons.
This story is part of Flare, an Annenberg Media initiative that focuses on women and queer stories. The goal of this beat is to immerse our audience in the culture, identity, and issues surrounding women and queer communities.