Author: Lexi Campbell, Taproot Therapy Clinical Trainee
Many kinds of people alter their behaviors to meet expected social, cultural, or situational norms. While neurotypical individuals may not have to actively think about their behaviors to satisfy social norms, neurodiverse individuals often feel pressure to conform and meet social expectations (Pearson & Rose, 2021; Stanich, 2024). The term masking refers to the act of concealing neurodivergent behavior in favor of neurotypical alternatives for social interaction, behavior, and sensory experience, in order to socially conform and evade detection as neurodiverse (Pearson & Rose, 2021). Many neurodiverse individuals, particularly those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, feel masking is necessary to avoid exclusion and discrimination, and to ensure safety (Stanich, 2024). Masking techniques can vary depending on the individual, but examples include forcing oneself to make and maintain eye contact, suppressing reactions to disruptive sensory stimuli, rehearsing scripts of responses before a conversation, imitating how neurotypical individuals talk and interact with others, forcing oneself to engage in small talk despite being uninterested or exhausted, and monitoring personal behavior through an internal dialogue (Stanich, 2024). Research indicates that masking is heavily influenced by environment and context: race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability status, immigration status, and other intersections of identity impact when and why masking occurs and how masking is used by a neurodiverse individual (Pearson & Rose, 2021). While masking minimizes the risk of discrimination and often prevents social stigma, it often comes at a cost to the masked individual. Long-term masking has been connected to mental health challenges including burnout, anxiety, depression, substance use, and a loss of sense of self (Pearson & Rose, 2021; Stanich, 2024). Unmasking is the process in which a neurodiverse person stops trying to act neurotypical and instead works towards embracing their authentic self (Stanich, 2024). Unmasking might look like finding quiet when experiencing intense sensory stimuli, taking alone time to recharge as needed, not forcing eye contact, connecting with the neurodiverse community, indulging in spaces that support one’s special interests, and embracing one’s unique neurodiverse traits with compassion and without negative judgment (Stanich, 2024). It is important to note that unmasking should be done with safety in mind— neurodiverse BIPOC, neurodiverse LGBTQIA+, and neurodiverse individuals with multiple intersecting identities face additional barriers due to pervasive, institutional discrimination, and may need to take precautions to ensure their safety in certain contexts given their marginalized status in a variety of environments. The process of unmasking is different for each neurodiverse individual. For many, safely unmasking is a key step in living life with self-determination and authenticity. Wherever one is in their journey, the support of an affirming mental health professional and neurodiverse peer support groups can be immensely supportive and impactful. Taproot Therapy has several clinicians with experience supporting the neurodiverse community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, should you or someone you care about wish to explore their neurodiverse authentic self. References Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Neurodivergent. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent Stanich, A. (2024). All the World’s a (Neurotypical) Stage: Neurodivergent Folklore, Autistic Masking, and Virtual Spaces for Discussing Autistic Identity. Journal of American Folklore, 137(545): 293-307. https://doi.org/10.5406/15351882.137.545.02 Pearson, A. & Rose, K. (2021). A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice. Autism in Adulthood, 3(1): 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.0043 Comments are closed.
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