Unmasking

Many autistic people do not feel safe to unmask because of fear around negative judgement. Non-autistic people can support unmasking by being non-judgemental and learning about autism from the autistic community.  

Parents and educators can encourage autistic children and young people to do what their body needs to do in a safe way. Children and young people should be supported to go at their own pace when unmasking and start with familiar environments and people who they feel safe and secure with. Support and encourage the autistic person with communicating their preferences and what they feel is the best type of support that can be offered to them.  

Neurowild infographic explaining unmasking