Masking To Fit In

This week, Aniesa discusses masking - what it means, how it’s used as a coping mechanism, and the effects it can have on neurodivergent adults and children.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Neurodivergent adults and children, such as those with autism, or ADHD, may be inclined to hide aspects of their true selves. This is called ‘masking’.
• Masking is used as a survival tool, as a way of protecting one's self from discrimination, labelling, or bullying.
• Those who mask may be completely unaware they’re doing it.
• Masking may also be used to be more successful at work or school, make friends or make romantic connections.
• Copying a person's body language or tone of voice, giving expected answers to questions, and forcing eye contact, a smile, or laughter are signs of masking in social situations.
• Masking often occurs in situations where neurodivergent people feel misunderstood or unsupported.
• Masking may cause people to force themselves to experience uncomfortable sensory experiences, such as loud venues and crowds of people, in order to ‘fit in’.
• Masking can bring about high levels of stress, depression, and exhaustion.
• Some people are so good at masking that they’re not diagnosed as neurodivergent until much later.
• Masking can lead to a loss of self, where you’re so used to masking that you forget your authentic self.

BEST MOMENTS

“Although masking may seem really helpful, masking your true self can be emotionally draining.”

"Exhaustion. If we mask constantly, we are exhausted because we are using energy. The energy that should be used on other activities or other tasks. It’s that feeling of being really overloaded after a social situation, leading to you just wanting to withdraw, and be alone, and just not be in that situation.”

“Sometimes people can be so efficient at masking that they don't get a neurodivergent diagnosis until much later in life. We’ve said it several times for women, we often get overlooked when it comes to diagnoses of autism or ADHD.”

CONTACT METHOD
www.instagram.com/aniesabblore/          
www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/   
www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon

ABOUT THE HOST

Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.

Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

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