Understanding autistic masking and camouflaging

Autistic individuals often use masking and camouflaging as coping mechanisms to navigate social situations and society's expectations. 

These behaviours stem from a desire to blend in and avoid standing out due to a lack of understanding and acceptance of autism. 

What is masking?

Masking involves an autistic person consciously suppressing or hiding their autistic traits to fit in with those around them. This can include mimicking the social behaviours, mannerisms, and conversational styles of neurotypical individuals. For example, an autistic person might force themselves to make eye contact, follow social cues, or engage in small talk despite these actions being uncomfortable or unnatural for them.

At work, autistic individuals might mask their traits to appear more competent or confident, fearing that revealing their true selves could lead to negative judgements from colleagues. This can mean pretending to understand tasks they find confusing, avoiding asking for clarification, and generally striving to appear as though they have no difficulties despite the challenges they face internally.

What is camouflaging?

Camouflaging is closely related to masking but focuses more on blending into the background to avoid attention. An autistic person might refrain from joining conversations, avoid social gatherings, or stick to the edges of rooms to avoid being noticed. This behaviour is often driven by anxiety and a fear of being judged for not fitting in or not knowing how to engage in typical social interactions.

The impact of masking and camouflaging

While masking and camouflaging can help autistic individuals navigate social environments and avoid immediate social repercussions, they can have significant long-term impacts on mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health

The constant effort required to maintain a mask can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Many autistic adults report feeling exhausted and burnt out from the relentless need to conform. Over time, the gap between their true self and their masked persona can result in a loss of sense or identity and self-worth.

Social consequences

While masking might facilitate smoother social interactions in the short term, it can lead to superficial relationships that lack genuine understanding and acceptance. Autistic individuals often feel isolated, as they are not able to be their authentic selves with others. This can contribute to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.

Physical health

The stress of masking can also manifest in physical health problems and burnout. Increased cortisol levels, tension headaches, and other stress-related conditions are not uncommon among those who frequently mask their autistic traits.

Recognising masking and camouflaging

Understanding and recognising the signs of masking and camouflaging can help create more supportive environments for autistic individuals. Some key signs include:

• Inconsistent behaviour: Autistic individuals may exhibit different private and public behaviours.
• Excessive preparation: Spending significant time rehearsing social interactions or worrying about social events.
• Social exhaustion: Feeling extremely tired or needing a lot of downtime after social interactions.
• Perfectionism: Striving for an unrealistic level of social performance to avoid making mistakes.

Why do autistic people mask?

Autistic people often mask due to societal pressures and the expectation to conform to neurotypical standards. This pressure can be especially intense for autistic women, who may feel a heightened need to fit in due to social expectations. Autistic individuals may also mask to avoid bullying, discrimination, or rejection, which, unfortunately, are still prevalent experiences.

The importance of acceptance

The need for autistic individuals to mask and camouflage highlights a broader societal issue: the lack of acceptance and understanding of autism. When autistic people are surrounded by those who understand and accept them, the need to mask diminishes significantly. Acceptance allows autistic individuals to feel safe and valued for who they truly are, reducing the mental burden and promoting better mental health.

Finding your tribe

Being with people who 'get' you can be incredibly liberating for autistic individuals. When you are in an environment where you are accepted and understood, the pressure to mask and camouflage decreases. This acceptance can come from family, friends, or communities celebrating neurodiversity. Finding your tribe—people who understand and appreciate you—allows you to be authentic, which is crucial for your mental and emotional wellbeing.

Practical support techniques

To create a more inclusive and understanding society, it's important to support autistic individuals in ways that reduce the need for masking and camouflaging. Here are some practical steps:

Educate yourself and others

Understanding autism and the challenges faced by autistic individuals is the first step towards acceptance. Educate yourself about autism and share this knowledge to build a more informed community.

Promote inclusivity

Create environments that accommodate different needs— at home, university, or work. This can involve making small adjustments, like providing clear instructions, allowing for sensory breaks, or offering alternative communication methods.

Encourage authenticity

Encourage autistic individuals to express themselves authentically. Let them know that their differences are valued and that they don't need to change to be accepted.

Be patient and understanding

Understand that autistic individuals might have different ways of interacting with the world. Be patient and give them the space and time to communicate and participate in their own way.

Build support networks

Help autistic individuals find supportive communities to connect with others who understand their experiences. Online and in-person support groups can provide valuable connections and reduce feelings of isolation.

Mental health support

Access to mental health services that understand the unique experiences of autistic individuals is essential. This can include:

• Therapeutic interventions: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic approaches tailored to autistic individuals.
• Support groups: Facilitating connections with others with similar experiences through support groups and community organisations.