19 November 2025
Understanding Masking in Autism: What It Is, How It Looks, and How to Support Individuals Who Mask
Many autistic children, teenagers, and adults learn to “mask” their autistic traits in order to fit in socially, avoid negative attention, or meet the expectations of school, work, or family environments. While masking can help someone cope in the moment, it often comes with emotional, cognitive, and physical costs.
As clinicians, understanding masking—and helping families recognise it—is essential for supporting genuine wellbeing.
What Is Masking?
Masking (also known as camouflaging) refers to the conscious or unconscious effort to hide autistic traits and imitate neurotypical behaviours in social or daily situations.
Masking isn’t about being “fake.” It’s often a survival strategy, helping a person navigate environments that feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or socially demanding.
Masking can appear in autistic people of all genders but is especially common in girls, women, and AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals, who are often socialised to fit in, be pleasing, or appear competent.
Examples of What Masking Can Look Like
Masking is not always obvious. Some common presentations include:
1. Copying Social Behaviours
- Watching peers carefully and mimicking gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions, or posture
- Rehearsing jokes or stories before social interactions
- Memorising scripts for common conversations (“I’m good thanks, how are you?”)
2. Hiding Sensory Overload
- Forcing themselves to tolerate loud noises, bright lights, or busy environments
- Holding in stims (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking, tapping)
- Appearing “calm” on the outside while feeling overwhelmed internally
3. Trying to Look More Socially Confident
- Smiling constantly, even when distressed or confused
- Overly maintaining eye contact (because they were told they “should”)
- Carefully monitoring body language to look “normal”
4. Suppressing Emotions or Needs
- Not asking questions for fear of looking “awkward”
- Enduring bullying or social exclusion without showing it
- Appearing compliant or “easygoing” while feeling anxiety, exhaustion, or shutdown internally
5. Masking Can Lead to ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ Exhaustion
Many autistic individuals report:
- Meltdowns or shutdowns after school or work
- Extreme fatigue
- Anxiety or burnout
- Loss of sense of self
These patterns are common in autistic burnout, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion linked to long-term masking and unmet support needs.
Why Do People Mask?
Masking can develop for several reasons:
- Wanting to fit in or avoid bullying
- Pressure to appear “competent” in school or workplace
- Trying not to cause conflict
- Avoiding being judged, misunderstood, or punished
- Fear of stigma or past negative reactions to autistic behaviours
Masking is adaptive—but it is not sustainable long-term, especially without support.
Three Strategies for Noticing and Managing Masking
1. Look for Differences Between “Public” and “Private” Behaviours
Masking often becomes easier to spot when you compare:
- School vs home behaviour
- Work vs weekend presentation
- Social settings vs solitary activities
Signs may include:
- Intense after-school meltdowns
- Needing long periods alone to decompress
- Greater emotional sensitivity at home
What helps:
Create “unmasked spaces” where the person is allowed to stim, be quiet, take breaks, or express emotions without judgement.
2. Pay Attention to Signs of Autistic Burnout
Masking becomes harder to maintain when burnout sets in. Watch for:
- Increased exhaustion
- Difficulty coping with change
- Heightened sensory sensitivity
- Emotional overwhelm
What helps:
Build regular sensory breaks, reduce social demands, and support predictable routines. Encourage pacing and remove unnecessary pressures.
3. Validate and Support Authentic Expression
Many autistic people mask because they feel unsafe or misunderstood when being themselves.
What helps:
- Validate stimming as a self-regulation strategy
- Let the person choose when and how they engage socially
- Use strengths-based language
- Ask: “What would help you feel comfortable being yourself right now?”
Create environments where the young person doesn’t have to perform or pretend—this reduces anxiety and strengthens healthy identity development.
Final Thoughts
Masking is common but often misunderstood. Recognising the pressures it creates allows clinicians, families, and schools to support autistic individuals in ways that honour their authentic communication and sensory needs.
Autistic people thrive when they are able to be themselves—valued, supported, and understood.
If you’re concerned that you or your child may be masking signs of autism, or you’re noticing burnout or emotional fatigue, our clinicians at Mindright Clinical Psychology can help with assessment, therapeutic support, and tailored coping strategies.
This link may also be helpful in accessing more information about ASD. https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/