Written by Mack Ash
Whether on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or your social media of choice, there is a great deal of talk about Autistic masking online. The subject is also gaining increasing attention from Autism researchers as they attempt to understand why Autistic people mask and what the consequences of masking may be.
What is Autistic masking?
Autistic masking is a coping strategy that many Autistic people use to help them get through everyday situations by hiding or reducing their Autistic traits or autism-related support needs. For example, masking may involve:
Masking allows Autistic people to better fit in with non-autistic people and so avoid autism-related stigma. While masking can at times be intentional – that is, something Autistic people do on purpose – it can also be an unintentional, unconscious response to perceived social danger. For this reason, Dr Wenn Lawson argues that we should use the term “adaptive morphing” rather than masking. Dr Lawson argues that not only does the term “adaptive morphing” more accurately describe what is involved in the process, it also avoids the connotations of hiding and deceit that the word “masking” tends to carry. Other autism researchers prefer to use the term “camouflaging”, though Dr Lawson argues this term is also problematic.
Masking and gender
Research suggests that gender may influence how and when Autistic people mask. For example, Autistic women and girls tend to report masking more often and in more situations than Autistic men and boys. This may be due to female gender norms, such as the expectation that women put on makeup every day (something that can be particularly challenging for Autistic women with sensory sensitivities) and the expectation that women smile more during social interactions (something that can be draining for many Autistic people). Autistic gender diverse people may also mask more than Autistic cisgender people, though the research on this is more limited.
Masking, “passing” and marginalised communities
For Autistic people who belong to marginalised cultures (whether defined by race, ethnicity, religion, gender or some other feature), it can be difficult to distinguish between Autistic masking and what is known as “passing”. Like masking, passing involves hiding or reducing traits to fit in with dominant cultural norms in order to avoid stigma and discrimination. For gender diverse people, passing also usually involves being recognisably female or male. In order to pass, people may adopt new communication practices (such as by changing the words and gestures they use) and change aspects of their appearance (such as their hairstyle or even by having plastic surgery). Like masking, passing is not necessarily something we do consciously.
Given the similarities between Autistic masking and the concept of passing, it can be difficult for Autistic people who belong to marginalised communities to know when they are engaging in one or the other. Some researchers would argue that the two processes are in fact the same – meaning that Autistic masking is just a way to describe how Autistic people pass in neurotypical environments – and so distinguishing between them is unnecessary. Importantly, both Autistic masking and passing have been linked to similar psychological and social outcomes.
Why do Autistic people mask?
Autistic people report that masking can be a useful strategy at school, in the workplace and socially. Masking can give them greater access to social spaces and protection from autism-related stigma. For this reason, masking can help Autistic people to get through school, TAFE and university and later help them to find work. For Autistic teenagers, perhaps particularly adolescent girls, masking can help them to make friends among their peers and avoid social difficulties such as bullying. Masking also allows Autistic people to challenge autism-related stereotypes by behaving in ways and engaging in activities that non-autistic people would not expect of an Autistic person.
What is wrong with masking?
While masking can have benefits – which explains why Autistic people do it both consciously and unconsciously – it also comes with a cost. Autistic masking has been linked to:
These negative consequences can be extreme, which is why Autistic advocates and autism researchers have made masking such a focus in recent years.
Is it possible to “take off the mask”?
Because Autistic masking may be unconscious, it is unrealistic to expect Autistic people to be able to simply stop doing it. It is also unlikely that every Autistic person would want to stop masking, given the benefits that can flow from it. Therefore, instead of talking about stopping masking, it may be more useful to talk about reducing masking and its negative consequences.
How to reduce the negative consequences of masking
It is possible to reduce masking and its negative consequences. Autistic people may do this by:
Many Autistic people report that they found it easier to take steps like these after they were diagnosed and recognised as Autistic, which suggests that validation is an important part of this process.
While the kinds of strategies listed here may be useful for Autistic individuals, research suggests that the single most effective way to reduce masking and its negative consequences is to target and reduce autism-related stigma. This can be difficult to do alone, which is why the Autistic community is so important. Not only does connection with the Autistic community tend to improve Autistic people’s mental health, but communities have the advantage of numbers when it comes to confronting stigma in the wider population.
Confronting stigma may involve embracing different communication styles and interests, placing the responsibility for miscommunications between Autistic and non-autistic people on both parties equally, and actively making social environments more inclusive for different neurotypes (for example, by providing low-sensory options). It may also involve organising Autistic pride events to publicly celebrate the unique aspects of Autistic identity and community.
While we still have much to learn about Autistic masking, we know that it is a very common Autistic experience that is both conscious and unconscious. We also know that it comes with benefits as well as some very concerning potential harms.
It may not be possible, or desirable, for Autistic people to stop masking altogether. However, there are several strategies that Autistic people and their allies can use to reduce masking and its negative consequences. The most effective strategy that has been identified so far is to reduce autism-related stigma itself. Fighting stigma is not easy or straightforward, but it is possible, particularly with the help of an Autistic community that is united in its diversity.
Resources
The information included in this article was drawn from the following studies. Please note that while some of these are open access, others require a subscription to access more than the abstract.
On why Autistic people mask:
On the problems of masking:
On how to reduce masking and its negative consequences:
About the author
Mack Ash (he/him) is an Autistic advocate and provisional psychologist currently undertaking a masters of clinical psychology.
The Reframing Autism team would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we have the privilege to learn, work, and grow. Whilst we gather on many different parts of this Country, the RA team walk on the land of the Awabakal, Birpai, Whadjak, and Wiradjuri peoples.
We are committed to honouring the rich culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this Country, and the diversity and learning opportunities with which they provide us. We extend our gratitude and respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to all Elders past and present, for their wisdom, their resilience, and for helping this Country to heal.
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