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Have you ever felt like you had to hide your true self to fit in? Imagine doing that every single day. For many people with autism, this is a reality known as “autism masking”. This practice has both beneficial and harmful effects on their physical and mental health.

Joey from Friends shifts his smile into an awkward facial expression, glancing left and right.

What is Autism Masking?

Autism masking is when people try to conceal their autism traits to blend in with others. They might consciously or unconsciously mimic other people's behaviors and suppress their own natural reactions to present themselves in socially expected ways.

An animation depicting a person's eyes going hollow as layers of masks peel off their face.

Common examples of autism masking are:

  • Mimicking social behaviors: Forcing eye contact or smiles during a conversation, even if it feels uncomfortable.

  • Hiding behaviors: Suppressing repetitive coping behaviors like foot jiggling, or avoiding sensory triggers like loud noises.

  • Copying speech patterns: Imitating the ways others speak, including tone and slang, to blend in better. Autistic people may mimic gestures or script conversations to make the interaction flow as expected.

  • Changing interests: Pretending to be interested in popular topics or activities to fit in with peers.

Positive Aspects of Autism Masking

Like wearing a uniform at work helps you look professional, masking can have some short-term benefits for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD):

  • Avoiding negative attention.

  • Reducing bullying or social rejection.

  • Supporting successful interactions with people.

  • Having an easier time forming friendships and relationships.

  • Building confidence, perhaps by faking it initially until real confidence is developed.

A an with a serious expression says, 'You just want to fit in.'

Quiz

John is getting ready for a social gathering. He rehearses some scripted answers, reminding himself to make eye contact and to avoid repetitive motions. Which best describes why he is using these autism masking techniques? Select all that apply:

Negative Impacts of Autism Masking

The techniques that help people with ASD fit in can have negative impacts, from mental to physical.

Zooming in on a girl's head, her emotional agents are depicted as feeling anxious, pacing around, and breathing into a bag.

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Increased Anxiety and Depression

Constantly pretending to be someone else can lead to severe anxiety and deep sadness. This constant state of alertness and fear of discovery results in frequent feelings of nervousness, worry, and sadness, making it challenging to enjoy daily activities or find joy in previously enjoyable things.

Erosion of Self-Identity

Masking can cause the person to lose touch with their true self, feeling like they’re living someone else’s life. This can result in confusion and frustration, as it becomes harder to know what they enjoy or their personal goals.

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Loneliness

They might feel isolated because they believe no one understands who they really are. This persistent loneliness can lead to feelings of despair and disconnection from the world around them.

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Stress-Related Health Issues

The constant stress from masking can cause headaches, stomach aches, and other physical problems. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off illnesses and recover from injuries.

Did you know?

A UK-based study found 94% of people with autism have attempted to mask their symptoms at some point during their lives.

Take Action

A bearded man in a cap stares ahead with determination and says, 'Make it count.'

Now that you have a better understanding of autism masking, expand your knowledge about ASD to create a more accepting and inclusive community with the following resources:

License:

This Byte has been authored by

JH

Jason Hsia

Community Coordinator/Learning Designer

MEd

English

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