Masking is a strategy used by some autistic people to appear less autistic. This can be detrimental to an individuals well-being, leading to loss of authenticity. Flywheel Centers offers insights on how to navigate this challenge as well as other challenges that come along with autism spectrum disorder. Our team of experts specialize in evidence-based strategies to support individuals and families affected by ASD.
What is Masking Autism?
Autism masking is a coping mechanism that some individuals with autism use to blend in and be more accepted in society. Observers with autism may begin mimicking the behaviors they see around them as a way of adapting their actions to fit in with the behaviors of neurotypical individuals.
Masking can manifest itself in a variety of different ways ranging from altering one’s speech patterns to actively suppressing repetitive behaviors. It varies greatly among individuals, depending on their experiences and environments.
Autism Masking Examples:
- Behavior: Imitating social behaviors of others
- Purpose: Fitting in with societal norms
- Actions: Suppressing stimming, changing facial expressions
Why do Autistic Individuals use Masking?
There are numerous reasons why individuals with autism would engage in masking and it varies from person to person. Some of the motivations behind masking include:
- Social Acceptance: Like most of us, autistic individuals feel a strong desire to fit in and be accepted by their peers. Masking allows them to navigate social scenes more smoothly and avoid rejection.
- Minimizing Stigma: Autistic individuals mask their autistic traits to avoid being bullied and to reduce facing the stereotypes associated with autism.
- Professional or Academic Advancement: Some may mask to adapt to a workplace or educational environment. Masking can help them increase their chances at a good career or academic success.
How Common is Autistic Masking?
There is not much research on how common masking is because it is difficult to measure and draw conclusions on. More evidence is needed about how a person’s ethnicity, cultural background and learning abilities may affect their experience of masking.
Autism masking is shaped by so many factors that impact how those with autism go about their lives. Where a person comes from, the pressures surrounding them and the internal conflicts they battle with, all might be reasons why some people are more likely to mask than others.
Demographic Influences:
- Gender
There is a clear contrast in the way the girls/boys and women/men handle masking. A current study investigated this and found that women scored higher on the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q). This questionnaire measures masking, compensation and assimilation. The reasons behind the disparity in masking inautistic females compared with masking behaviours in males still require further investigation.
Table: Gender Disparities in Masking
| Gender | Likelihood of masking |
| Women | Higher likelihood |
| Men | Lower likelihood |
- Age
The age of an individual at the time they are diagnosed with autism can strongly impact their likelihood to mask. The older one is when receiving an ASD diagnosis, the more aware they are of where they stand in the world, which can cause them to mask in order to conform to society’s pressures.
Table: Age Disparities in Masking
| Age Group | Likelihood of masking |
| Children | Lower likelihood |
| Adolescents to adulthood | Higher likelihood |
Signs of Masking Autism
To address the issue of masking, it is important for parents and caregivers to be able to spot the signs and symptoms of masking. These symptoms include the following:
Communication Masking
- Altering speech patterns: Adjusting tones, pitch or pace of neurotypical speech
- Avoiding spontaneous conversation
- Using memorized phrases: Rehearsing before conversations
- Modifying body language: Adjusting posture and gestures to appear neurotypical
- Controlling facial expressions: Managing their expressions to match social norms
Sensory Masking
- Concealing sensory avoidance: Hiding their aversion to certain sounds, textures or tastes.
- Enduring overstimulation: Putting up with loud noises or bright lights
- Suppressing sensory seeking behaviors: Quashing the urge to engage in behaviors that help them feel more at ease.
Cognitive Masking
- Concealing learning differences: Hiding difficulties with traditional learning
- Suppressing natural thought processes: Refraining from doing things according to their unique ways of thinking or problem solving.
- Hiding attention differences: Pretending to find it easy to focus for the same amount of time as neurotypical people.
- Inconsistent behavior: If someone’s behavior seems different depending on different social situations or at home vs at school, this can be a sign of masking.
Masking in Autistic Children
Even a child with autism can sense that they are different from the children around them. This realization contributes greatly to autism masking at school or in any other social setting. Especially among young girls, there are high masking autism percentages.
A child masking autism may behave in the following manners:
- Stopping to stim: A child who normally engages in stimming behaviors, like licking their fingers or flapping their hands when excited, might push down these natural tendencies to appear more ‘normal’.
- Social mimicking: A child might copy the body language or manner of speaking of their peers so they don’t risk getting made fun of. They may go along with all the activities the others are doing even if they don’t really want to.
The Effects of Masking Autism
While masking can offer some short term benefits to individuals with autism, like fitting in and social acceptance; it has detrimental consequences as well.
Consequences of Masking Include:
- Exhaustion and Fatigue: Masking requires a lot of effort and can be emotionally and physically draining. Individuals with autism may invest a lot of mental energy trying to fit in and keep hiding their autism, which can leave them feeling exhausted and fatigued. Constantly keeping up a falsely curated persona can eventually lead to complete burnout.
- Anxiety and Depression: Obsessing over social norms and conforming to every societal pressure might help those with autism dodge some snide comments but all at the cost of their mental health. Constantly worrying what others think can bring on a wave of anxiety and depression.
- Delay in Diagnosis/ Misdiagnosis: Masking can lead to delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis. When individuals with autism mask their symptoms, it can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or a diagnosis at all. This can delay important interventions and support that can be of tremendous benefit to an individual with autism.
- Identity Confusion: Individuals with autism that are so busy playing a part can cause them to lose sight of who they are. Suppressing natural tendencies like stimming and limiting self- expression, quashes self-growth and creativity. This can also lead to low self-esteem, as they are never allowing their true selves to be seen.
It is crucial for individuals with autism that utilize masking as a coping technique to get the support they need, so as not to fall down the rabbit hole of mental illness and isolation.
Supporting Autistic Individuals who are Masking
Supporting autistic individuals that engage in masking requires empathy and understanding. Below are some ways you can help assist your loved one or any individual using this coping mechanism.
- Providing Safe Spaces:
Creating a haven where the individual can feel safe enough to strip off their mask and be their true selves, is the greatest gift you can offer. Whether at school or at home, ensure the child has a safe space where they can speak their mind freely without judgement. Creating an environment that is supportive and understanding, helps children relax and recharge from social and societal demands.
- Building Self- Confidence:
Reminding children (and adults) that have resorted to masking, that their unique traits and abilities are valued and that they don’t need to change to fit in. When they feel appreciated for who they are and are celebrated for their interests, they develop a sense of self worth and they’ll gain the confidence they need to navigate social scenes by being themselves.
- Sensory Accommodations:
For those who mask sensory overcharge can be a real irritation. By making some sensory adjustments, one can ease the tremendous discomfort and mitigate the need for masking. Providing a child with noise cancelling earplugs or fidget toys, one can help a child with autism feel at ease.
Creating Positive Change for Individuals Who Mask Their Autism
Recognizing and understanding the signs of masking and how to support those who resort to it as a coping strategy, is integral to encouraging those with autism to be comfortable in their own skin. By creating a more inclusive and non-judgemental environment we can stop the trend of masking and its destructive effects.
Rather than focusing on ‘fitting in’, ABA therapy focuses on empowering children to use their individual skill sets to interact and communicate. For more details about our exceptional ABA treatment options, please reach out. At Flywheel Centers, our professionally trained therapists will work with your child to help them develop the tools to navigate social situations with confidence.
FAQs About Masking Autism
What is the difference between masking and camouflaging autism?
Camouflaging is closely related to masking but is more about trying to blend into the background and avoid any attention. Individuals that are masking, try to fit in more and interact like everyone else, while, camouflaging individuals tend to want to get by unnoticed. They might avoid social scenes, refrain from engaging in conversations, and will always stick to the side of the room so as not to be seen.
Is masking common in all autistic individuals?
Masking is quite common amongst individuals with ASD, but it is not universal. High functioning individuals tend to mask, as opposed to those on the lower functioning end of the spectrum. Women and girls with autism were also found to mask their symptoms more than men and boys. Teenagers especially, were also found to use masking to fit in with their friends and classmates.
Can masking lead to long-term mental health issues?
Masking autism can have devastating mental health effects on the person engaging in this behavior. Research has found that individuals who regularly mask their autism have increased anxiety, depression and exhaustion. They may experience panic attacks, feelings of isolation and autistic burnout and may need an extended time period to recover. In a recent study prolonged masking and camouflaging were linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. With proper care and intervention, individuals who regularly mask can find the right balance between masking and being their true selves.
