Summary
Neurodivergent, especially autistic individuals, regardless of gender, often engage in masking or camouflaging behaviours as a way to navigate social environments that may not always accommodate their neurodiversity. Broadly speaking, masking involves consciously or unconsciously suppressing autistic traits and mimicking (what are considered) neurotypical behaviours to blend in or avoid negative attention, or indeed minimise their “autisticness”. This behaviour is generally more commonly observed among females and non-binary individuals, (but is often observed in males (amab)). However, it is important to remember that it can manifest differently across these groups due to varying social expectations, norms and pressures.
Females and non-binary individuals are particularly likely to mask because societal norms often impose specific expectations around social interaction, communication, and emotional expression. For instance, girls and non-binary individuals might feel compelled to conform to conventional social norms, such as maintaining eye contact, engaging in small talk, or displaying empathy in socially expected ways, even when these behaviours feel unnatural or exhausting. This pressure to conform can lead to intense masking, which may contribute to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis, as their autism might be less visible to others.
Males, while also engaging in masking, might experience different social pressures that influence how they camouflage their autistic traits. They may feel compelled to suppress behaviours like stimming (repetitive movements or sounds) or to hide difficulties with social interaction to fit into more traditionally masculine roles.
These masking behaviours can also have enormous implications for mental health – hiding who we are and changing who we are for others can sometimes lead to impactful challenges around identity and being comfortable with expressing who we are. Although masking might help autistic individuals avoid social rejection in the short term, it can have significant long-term consequences, including increased stress, anxiety, depression, and a weakened sense of self. The effort to continuously mask can be exhausting. It may lead to burnout, highlighting the importance of creating environments where neurodivergent individuals feel safe to be themselves without the need for camouflage, unless they choose to.
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