Abstract

In improv comedy, individuals spontaneously create scenes or songs. It has been identified that by participating in improv, individuals experience numerous benefits such as improvement in their communication skills (Keates & Beadle-Brown, 2023). In this research, I investigated how autistic adults experience an online four-week improv comedy course, and whether participants who joined the classes believed there had been any benefits from participating in the sessions. Seventeen participants from around the world were invited to discuss their experiences and the benefits of participating in the course in focus groups. The data was analysed using Qualitative Content Analysis identifying five themes: 1) ‘Quality of Life and Mental Health benefits’; 2) ‘Being accepted as and with other autistic people’; 3) ‘Autistic valued skills’; 4) ‘Provides a way into or inspire an activity I want’; and 5) ‘Not every autistic person will perceive or gain benefits’. While most participants stated benefits from participating in improv and that it was an enabling activity, not all autistic individuals perceived or gained value from it. In particular, it was helpful to have an autistic space where autistic identity may thrive.