What is Masking? Masking in Autism and What It Means

What Is Masking in Autism?

The topic of masking in Autism has only recently become more widely known, but is usually not fully understood by those outside the Autistic community. Many Autistic individuals use masking as a coping strategy, so it’s important to understand what masking is and why people do it. This understanding will help neurotypical individuals be better able to support their peers, family members, or coworkers with Autism.

So what is masking?

Masking refers to the practice of suppressing your natural qualities or behaviors in order to blend in with a neurotypical crowd. As you can imagine, it’s often mentally and emotionally exhausting to mask for long periods of time, and can make social situations even more confusing or difficult. Masking is more than just “trying to fit in.” It’s a form of self-protection that can lead to significant mental health challenges. Recognizing it helps create a more compassionate, inclusive society.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Masking in Autism

There are a few common reasons why autistic people might choose to mask. Sometimes, it’s to fit in and be accepted by others or to make friends more easily. Other times, it’s about feeling safe and helping someone avoid being teased, bullied, or judged. In school or at work, people might mask to meet expectations and avoid getting in trouble or losing their job. There’s also a lot of pressure from family, friends, and society to act in a way that seems “normal,” even if it doesn’t feel natural.

What Does Masking Look Like?

Masking can look different for everyone, but there are some common signs. A person might force eye contact, copy how others speak or move, or hide things like fidgeting or hand-flapping to fit in. They may practice what to say ahead of time and then overthink how they came across. They may even apologize profusely even though they did nothing wrong. Though masking is often invisible, there are clues to recognize it in yourself or others, like feeling very tired or frustrated after socializing or acting calm in public but feeling overwhelmed at home. Some people also move in a very controlled way to avoid standing out.

Many people who mask well are labeled as “high-functioning,” but this term can be misleading and harmful. It overlooks the internal struggles a person may face and can minimize their need for support. The absence of visible challenges doesn’t mean someone isn’t struggling. Unfortunately, frequent masking in autism can cause so much mental stress that it leads to something called Autistic Burnout.

What Is Autistic Burnout?

Autistic Burnout is a state of intense mental, emotional, or physical fatigue resulting from constant efforts to mask, meet social demands, and cope with sensory stress. It can lead to withdrawal, inability to do tasks well, or even a complete shutdown. Many autistic individuals deal with higher levels of anxiety and depression after masking for too long, and some may eventually even struggle with knowing who they are beneath the mask.

Preventing Burnout: Supporting Autistic People in Unmasking Safely

Unmasking means letting go of the “mask” someone wears to fit in, and it can feel really freeing. But for someone to unmask safely, they need support and trust. One way to help is by creating places where everyone feels welcome and not judged. It’s also important to accept different ways of talking, behaving, and interacting. In the workplace or in a school setting, offering help or adjustments, like extra time, quiet spaces, or other support without making someone prove they need it can make a big difference.

Encouraging self-expression is another important part of support. That means letting people stim (like fidgeting or hand-flapping) and not correcting them just because they act differently. It also means supporting different ways of communicating, like using speech apps or scripts. Teachers can help by understanding and respecting neurodiversity in their classrooms. Employers can make workplaces more inclusive, and families can show acceptance by supporting their loved ones just as they are.

Life Strategies and Tools for Autistic Individuals Navigating Masking

Masking can become a habit that’s hard to break, but there are ways to slowly understand and change it at your own pace. One way to start is by using tools like journaling to keep track of how you feel throughout the day, including times and places where you felt most like you needed to hide yourself. Talking to a therapist who understands neurodiversity can also help you work through your feelings. Connecting with other autistic people who won’t think twice about if you stim or act authentically yourself can help you feel less alone.

Building a Life That Doesn’t Require Constant Masking

While masking can feel safe, it’s completely possible to create a life for yourself where you don’t need to mask all the time. Spend time in places that allow you to be yourself. If you feel comfortable, advocate for your needs in spaces like the workplace so you can be supported to perform your best. Make use of community resources that may exist, like peer groups.

At Spectrum Strategies, we know that constantly masking can be exhausting. That’s why we offer different kinds of support to help autistic individuals feel more comfortable being themselves. Through group coaching, individual coaching, and the other resources we offer, our goal is to help you build the skills and confidence to succeed without hiding who you are. Everyone deserves the chance to connect and thrive while being their authentic self. Reach out to us to learn more about the support and resources we offer.