Understanding Masking

Understanding Masking

What is Masking

Masking, sometimes called camouflaging, is when autistic people change the way they act to try to “fit in” with others.  Some examples of masking include:

• Making eye contact during conversations, even if it feels uncomfortable
• Copying other people’s facial expressions during conversations
• Talking less about their favorite topics
• Hiding stimming behaviors (like hand flapping or repeating words)
• Using social “scripts,” or planning out what to say in common conversations

Risks and Benefits of Masking

Masking can have some short-term benefits, like helping autistic people fit into social situations and avoid being judged.  But masking can also cause serious problems over time.

Masking often means autistic people spend a lot of time acting in ways that don’t feel natural to them.  They may feel like they have to pretend to be someone else just to get through the day.  For example, they might make eye contact even though it feels wrong, or rehearse conversations in advance.  They may avoid stimming, which can make it harder to calm down when they feel anxious.  This can make them feel like they are stuck in a performance that never ends.  Over time, this stress cause autistic people to avoid social situations, or even lead to anxiety and depression.

Another risk of masking is that it can make autism harder to notice.  If an autistic person blends in well, doctors may not realize they are autistic.  Without a diagnosis, autistic people may miss out on important therapies that can help them with social skills, language, and self-regulation.  Families may also miss chances to learn about autism or get resources to support their loved one.

Masking can also cause people to misunderstand an autistic person’s needs.  Others may assume that someone who masks well doesn’t need help, or that their autism “isn’t real.”  This can make it harder to get accommodations at school or work.  For example, a coworker might think, “They socialize just fine, so they must not need extra help,” even though masking is draining and difficult.  People may not see the effort it takes, which can put even more pressure on the autistic person.

Masking in Autistic Women and Girls

Masking is common in many autistic people, but studies show that autistic women and girls are more likely to mask than autistic men.  This may be because women and girls face different social expectations, or because autistic girls may be slightly better at reading social cues.  Stronger or more frequent masking may also explain why girls are often diagnosed later than boys and why women are diagnosed less often than men.

Unmasking

It is important for society to make autistic people feel accepted.  Autistic people have many strengths to share, but it’s harder for them to do so if they feel like they can’t be themselves.  When caregivers, teachers, coworkers, and communities understand what masking is, they can be more supportive.  Recognizing autistic traits as normal parts of human diversity can make communities more welcoming.

Helping autistic people live without the pressure to mask allows them to feel more at home.  In turn, schools, workplaces, and communities benefit from the unique skills and perspectives autistic people bring.

Article by: McKenzie Clark and The Autism Toolkit

National Libraries of Medicine Sources

Alaghband-Rad, J., Hajikarim-Hamedani, A., & Motamed, M. (2023). Camouflage and masking behavior in adult autism. Frontiers in psychiatry, 14, 1108110. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1108110

Pearson, A., & Rose, K. (2021). A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice. Autism in adulthood : challenges and management, 3(1), 52–60. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.0043

Other Sources

Masking. (2025). https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/masking#:~:text=changing%20speech%20or%20tone%20of,as%20playing%20with%20a%20pen