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Autistic masking
Autistic masking, also referred to as camouflaging, is the conscious or subconscious suppression of autistic behaviors with the goal of being perceived as neurotypical. Masking behavior is a learned coping strategy that may prevent being stigmatized and injure mental health.
Autistic people have cited social acceptance, the need to have a job, and the avoidance of ostracism or verbal or physical abuse as reasons for masking.
There is no universally agreed-upon terminology for the concept. While some use the terms masking and camouflaging synonymously, others distinguish between masking (the suppression of behaviors) and compensation (of social difficulties) as the two main forms of camouflaging. Among autistic people, masking is the most commonly used umbrella term. Autistic researcher Wenn Lawson has proposed that adaptive morphing is a more fitting term.
The process of consciously reducing masking tendencies or not masking in some contexts, which some autistic people see as a desirable goal, is referred to as unmasking. Motivations for unmasking include no longer hiding one's true identity and avoiding adverse mental health outcomes.
I camouflage by putting on a character… I treat my clothes rather like costumes, and certain items of clothing help me to uphold certain personality characteristics of which character I am on that occasion. I have a repertoire of roles for: cafe work, bar work, uni, various groups of friends, etc. They are all me at the core, but they are edited versions of me, designed to not stand out for the "wrong" reasons.
— (Female, 22),
Typical examples of heavier autistic masking include the suppression of stimming (in general or in public) and reactions to sensory overload. Autistic people may also mask by maintaining eye contact despite discomfort, mirroring the body language and tone of others, refraining from talking about passionate interests, or outwardly reacting less to sensory stresses.
Autistic people with conversational difficulties may use complex strategies to converse more successfully, such as scripting a conversation outline, developing conscious "rules" for conversations, and carefully monitoring if these are being followed. Many autistic people learn conversational rules and social behaviors by watching television shows and other media and by observing and mimicking a character's behavior.
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Autistic masking AI simulator
(@Autistic masking_simulator)
Autistic masking
Autistic masking, also referred to as camouflaging, is the conscious or subconscious suppression of autistic behaviors with the goal of being perceived as neurotypical. Masking behavior is a learned coping strategy that may prevent being stigmatized and injure mental health.
Autistic people have cited social acceptance, the need to have a job, and the avoidance of ostracism or verbal or physical abuse as reasons for masking.
There is no universally agreed-upon terminology for the concept. While some use the terms masking and camouflaging synonymously, others distinguish between masking (the suppression of behaviors) and compensation (of social difficulties) as the two main forms of camouflaging. Among autistic people, masking is the most commonly used umbrella term. Autistic researcher Wenn Lawson has proposed that adaptive morphing is a more fitting term.
The process of consciously reducing masking tendencies or not masking in some contexts, which some autistic people see as a desirable goal, is referred to as unmasking. Motivations for unmasking include no longer hiding one's true identity and avoiding adverse mental health outcomes.
I camouflage by putting on a character… I treat my clothes rather like costumes, and certain items of clothing help me to uphold certain personality characteristics of which character I am on that occasion. I have a repertoire of roles for: cafe work, bar work, uni, various groups of friends, etc. They are all me at the core, but they are edited versions of me, designed to not stand out for the "wrong" reasons.
— (Female, 22),
Typical examples of heavier autistic masking include the suppression of stimming (in general or in public) and reactions to sensory overload. Autistic people may also mask by maintaining eye contact despite discomfort, mirroring the body language and tone of others, refraining from talking about passionate interests, or outwardly reacting less to sensory stresses.
Autistic people with conversational difficulties may use complex strategies to converse more successfully, such as scripting a conversation outline, developing conscious "rules" for conversations, and carefully monitoring if these are being followed. Many autistic people learn conversational rules and social behaviors by watching television shows and other media and by observing and mimicking a character's behavior.