what is masking autism

Autistic masking, also known as camouflaging or neurodivergent masking, refers to the conscious or subconscious suppression of autistic behaviors and compensation for difficulties in social interaction by autistic individuals with the goal of being perceived as neurotypical. This learned coping strategy can involve suppressing behaviors such as stimming or reactions to sensory overload, maintaining eye contact despite discomfort, mirroring the body language and tone of others, and developing "scripts" that work in social situations. While masking can help individuals with autism fit in with their peers, it can also lead to adverse mental health outcomes and may conceal the persons need for support. The process of consciously giving up masking, known as unmasking, is seen as a desirable goal by some autistic individuals to no longer hide their true identity and avoid adverse mental health outcomes. It is important to recognize the signs of masking and understand its impact in order to provide appropriate support to individuals with autism.