Autism and Masking
What is Masking?
What Is It and How Does It Impact People?
Autistic individuals often navigate a world designed for neurotypical individuals. This can lead to "masking," a complex strategy used to fit in. The Neurodiversity Hub explores the concept of masking, its impact, and how we can support autistic individuals in embracing their authentic selves.
What is Masking?
Masking involves consciously or unconsciously suppressing or modifying natural autistic behaviours to align with non-autistic norms. It can include:
Mimicking Social Behaviours: Forcing eye contact, rehearsing conversations.
Suppressing Stimming: Hiding hand-flapping, rocking, or vocal stimming.
Altering Communication: Forcing speech or changing communication styles.
Hiding Sensory Discomfort: Not advocating for necessary accommodations.
Masking is often a survival mechanism, particularly in challenging environments like workplaces, schools, and social gatherings. Many autistic individuals begin masking in childhood, continuing into adulthood, sometimes without conscious awareness.
Why Do Autistic People Mask?
Autistic individuals may mask for various reasons:
Avoiding Bullying or Discrimination: Protecting themselves from negative experiences.
Social Pressure to Conform: Meeting non-autistic expectations for communication and behaviour.
Workplace or Educational Demands: Adapting to environments not designed for neurodiversity.
Fear of Misunderstanding: Preventing misinterpretations of autistic traits.
The Impact of Masking:
While masking may offer short-term benefits, it can have significant long-term consequences:
1. Autistic Burnout:
Constant masking leads to exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and potential loss of skills. Recovery can take considerable time.
2. Identity Confusion:
Individuals may struggle to understand their true identity, feeling unsure of who they are beyond their masked persona.
3. Increased Anxiety and Mental Health Challenges:
The constant effort to fit in can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, and depression.
4. Difficulty with Diagnosis and Support:
Masking can obscure autistic traits, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses, especially for women, non-binary individuals, and people of colour.
Unmasking: Embracing Authenticity:
Unmasking, or reducing the need to mask, is crucial for self-acceptance and well-being. While complete unmasking may not always be feasible, creating spaces for authenticity is vital.
Supporting Autistic Individuals in Unmasking:
Creating Safe and Accepting Environments: Valuing and celebrating autistic traits.
Challenging Ableist Norms: Rejecting expectations to suppress natural behaviours.
Encouraging Self-Advocacy: Supporting individuals in communicating their needs.
Providing Accommodations: Adjusting workplaces, schools, and social spaces for authentic expression.
Unmasking is a personal journey. Increased societal acceptance of neurodiversity reduces the pressure to mask.
Final Thoughts from The Neurodiversity Hub:
Masking is a complex strategy with significant emotional costs. By increasing awareness and fostering acceptance, we can create a world where autistic individuals feel safe to be themselves.
If you are autistic and mask, your authentic self is valuable. You are worthy of acceptance and respect.
Further Resources:
For additional information, please visit the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/masking
Contact The Neurodiversity Hub for further support and resources.