Research has shown that individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome are impaired in humor appreciation, although anecdotal and parental reports provide some evidence to the contrary. This paper reviews the cognitive and affective processes involved in humor and recent neurological findings. It examines humor expression and understanding in…

A 14-year-old with mild mental retardation and behavioral features suggestive of Asperger's syndrome is described. At the onset of puberty lethargic episodes took on a more dramatic form and became more reminiscent of cycloid/manic-depressive psychosis. Neurobiological links with and differences from the syndrome of infantile autism were found.…