Masking

Masking is a term used to describe when autistic children and young people practice and engage in certain behaviours to fit in with others or camouflage their autistic self by suppressing autistic characteristics. 

Often autistic children and young people will mask in school environments to the point where educators may not be aware of an autistic diagnosis or the level of distress experienced. In comparison when the child or young person is at home or in an environment that feels safe for them they may not need to mask and parents or family members may observe a different presentation than in school. 

Autism masking includes the conscious or unconscious efforts of an autistic person to change their responses and behaviour in some way. Masking often includes sophisticated strategies to blend into social environments or hide true autistic identity.  

What is masking?

Listen to the Middletown podcast by Dr Amy Pearson & Kieran Rose on Masking.