It involvessuppressing or hidingautistic traits and behaviorswhile mimicking or adopting neurotypical social norms and communication styles.
Autistic people may mask toavoidstigma, discrimination, and negative social consequencesassociated with their autism diagnosis. Masking can also be a way to form connections with others and to be accepted in social settings.
Maskingis not exclusiveto autism. It is also common for people withADHD to engage in masking behaviorsto appear more neurotypical. However, anyone may mask to some degree.
Imagine you are attending a job interview; you are probably going to put on a professional mask and hold back on some of your more casual behaviors to make a good impression. People who work in retail or customer service likely put on a mask to appear more approachable, smiley, and helpful.
The difference with masking in autistic individuals is that they maymask their traits of autismin most or all settings to appear ‘normal.’
They are hiding who they really are, whetherintentionally or unintentionally. This can result in many unwanted consequences.
Common masking behaviors
Masking can take many forms and may vary from person to person. Somecommon masking behaviorsinclude:
My experience with masking
Impact of masking and its consequences
How can masking impact a diagnosis?
Masking can have significant implications forthe diagnosis of autism. Here are several ways in which masking can affect the diagnostic process:
Autistic individuals who maskmay bemisdiagnosedor have a delayed diagnosisbecause their autistic traits are not as apparent to professionals.
They may not exhibit the stereotypical behaviors associated with autism, leading to a missed or incorrect diagnosis.
Autistic individuals who mask may be diagnosed withsocial anxiety disorderor a personality disorder for example.
It may be the case that they do haveco-occurring disorders alongside autism, but these may be diagnosed first, and anything other than that may not be considered.
The ability to mask can lead to a lack of recognition ofautism in females, resulting in agender biasin diagnostic rates.
Girls and womenare often diagnosed later in life than boys and men. Thisdelay in diagnosiscan be attributed to the fact that females are often better at masking their autistic traits, leading to a higher likelihood of being overlooked or misdiagnosed.
A meta-analysisfound that the male-to-female ratio in autism diagnoses was 4:1, suggesting a significantunderdiagnosis of females.
A delayed or missed diagnosis due to masking can lead to alack of access to appropriate supportand interventions.
Without a timely diagnosis, autistic individuals may not receive the necessary accommodations and services in educational and occupational settings.
This can further exacerbate the challenges they face and negativelyimpact their mental healthand well-being.
Individuals who think they could be autistic may be faced with disbelief from others or accused of lying because they‘do not seem autistic’as a result of masking.
Burnout
Masking ismentally and emotionally exhausting,often leading to burnout and fatigue.
Autistic individuals may feel the need to be “on” all the time,constantly monitoring their behaviorand adjusting their actions to fit in with neurotypical expectations.
A study found thatautistic adults reported feeling exhausted, isolated, and experiencing poor mental and physical health due to the amount of time spent masking.
Participants described masking as “an automatic response in order to survive” but one that came at a significant cost to their well-being.
Mental health challenges
Masking has been associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, such asanxiety, depression,andlow self-esteem.
Research has foundthat autistic adults who reported higher levels of camouflaging also reported higher levels of anxiety anddepression.
The study suggested that the pressure to conform to neurotypical norms and the constant effort to mask one’s true self can have detrimental effects on mental health.
People-pleasing
Masking can lead topeople-pleasing behaviorsand a fear of rejection, as autistic individuals may prioritize the needs and expectations of others over their own.
Autistic individuals may feel pressured to agree with others, avoid conflict, and maintain a certain image to be accepted and liked.
Dr. Devon Price in his book ‘Unmasking Autism‘ explains that a core feature of masking is setting one’s own feelings aside so we can focus on pleasing others orconforming to social norms.
He adds that it can be “damaging to put social approval and ‘passing‘ as neurotypical above our actual needs.”
A study found thatautistic adults reported engaging in people-pleasing behaviors as part of their camouflaging strategies.
Participants described agreeing with others even when they disagreed, avoiding expressing their own opinions, and prioritizing others’ needs over their own to maintain social relationships andavoid rejection.
Substance-use
Some autistic individuals mayturn tosubstance useas a way to cope with the stress and anxiety associated with masking.
The constant pressure to fit in and the exhaustion that comes with masking may lead some individuals to seek relief through alcohol or drugs.Using substances can alsobe a way todull sensory sensitivities.
While research specifically linking masking to substance misuse in autistic individuals is limited,studies have shownhigher rates of substance use disorders in the autistic population compared to the general population.
The added stress and mental health challenges associated with masking may contribute to an increased risk of substance misuse.
Dr. Price explains:
“Social norms are loosened when people are drinking… If you say something weird at a party, drunk people might forget it ever happened. The ease of being around other drunk people can itself be kind of intoxicating. Unfortunately, relying on substances in order to feel at ease or connected can rapidly become self-destructive.”
Identity issues
Masking can lead toidentity issuesand a sense of not knowing one’s true self.
Autistic individuals who spend significant time and energy masking may feel like they areliving a double life, constantly switching between their authentic autistic self and their neurotypical persona.
Researchers argue thatmasking can be seen as a form ofidentity suppression, where autistic individuals feel pressured to hide their true selves to fit in with societal norms.
This constant suppression of one’s identity can lead to feelings of self-doubt, confusion, and alack of self-acceptance.
Is masking ever a good thing?
While there are a lot of downsides to masking autism, many may find benefits to masking from time to time.
Masking can help autistic individualsnavigate social situationsmore smoothly, potentially leading to increased social acceptance and opportunities in education and employment.
It can also serve as aprotective mechanismin situations where autistic people would feel unsafe showing their true selves. For example, it can help withavoiding being bullied or discriminated against.
While masking may provide short-term benefits in certain situations, it is not a sustainable or healthy long-term strategy for autistic individuals.
Instead, the focus should be on creating moreaccepting and inclusive environmentsthat embrace neurodiversity.
Unmasking and embracing autistic identity
It can be important for autistic individuals to have the opportunity to unmask andembrace their autistic identity.
Building awareness and understanding of autismcan help reduce the stigmaand discrimination that often leads to masking.
Benefits of Unmasking
Unmaskingand being true to oneself can have significant benefits for mental health and well-being.
Researchers suggest thatunmasking can lead to a more authentic sense of self andimproved relationshipswith others.
When autistic individuals feel safe to be their true selves, they canform deeper connectionswith those around them and experience a greater sense of belonging and acceptance.
Moreover, unmasking can helpreduce the cognitive and emotional burdenassociated with constantly suppressing one’s natural behaviors and traits.
By embracing their autistic identity, individuals can conserve the energy previously spent on masking and redirect it towards more fulfilling pursuits and self-care.
How to Start Unmasking
Starting the process of unmasking can be challenging, especially for those who have been masking for most of their lives.
Dropping the maskis not as simple as flicking a switch to turn it off. Remember, masking is a behavior that has been learned and reinforced for many years for some people.
Unmasking is agradual processand may take time and patience.
It is crucial to remember that unmasking is a personal journey and may look different for everyone. Some individuals may choose to unmask in certain settings or with specific people, while others may feel comfortable unmasking more broadly.
The key is tofind a balancethat feels safe and authentic to the individual.
Celebrating Neurodiversity
Celebrating neurodiversity andrecognizing the strengths and unique perspectivesof autistic individuals can help create a more inclusive society.
By embracing autistic identity and challenging societal norms, we can work towards a world where autistic individuals feel empowered to be themselves without the need to mask.
This involves promoting a more diverse understanding of autism andchallenging stereotypes and misconceptions.
It means recognizing that autistic individuals have valuable contributions to make and that their differences should be celebrated rather than stigmatized.
On an individual level, we can work toeducate ourselves and othersabout autism and challenge our own biases and assumptions.
On a systemic level, we can advocate for policies and practices that support the inclusion and empowerment of autistic individuals in all aspects of society.
By celebrating neurodiversity and creating a more accepting world, we can help reduce the pressure to mask and allow autistic individuals to thrive as their authentic selves.
References
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Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
