Behind the Mask

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Masking is something we all do to project an “acceptable” version of ourselves – but for those of us who are autistic, it can feel like something we do to survive.

 

It’s difficult for families and friends of autistic people to spot, let alone educational and medical professionals. Yet masking can lead to misdiagnosis and burnout, so it’s vital that we all understand it.

That’s why we’ve launched our Behind the Mask campaign, talking to autistic adults and practitioners in a series of videos about everything to do with masking: what it is, what it looks like, why people do it, the impact it has, how to spot it and what we can do about it.

We learned a huge amount through talking to them, and their insight and advice will be invaluable to autistic people, parents and professionals.

Our guests are: Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate); Dr Amy Pearson (psychologist); Jodie Smitten (autism specialist); Zoe and Nic King (ZAP advocacy and Pandas Online) Kerrie Highcock (our family development manager), and Tracey Train (principal of Mackenzie Thorpe Centre school).

"As a teenager, I had a sense that there were bits of myself that I needed to hide. I made a list of the things I thought annoyed other people about me. If I could just work out what it was, then I could fix it by making sure people didn’t see it any more. Dr Amy Pearson "

How you can get involved

What is masking?

Kieran Rose, Dr Amy Pearson and Jodie Smitten explain what is meant by masking, what it looks like and how deep-rooted it can be.

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Why do people mask?

Masking can feel like a survival strategy in a society where it’s not always safe to be different. Our guests explain why.

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What impact does masking have?

Mother and daughter Nic and Zoe King draw on first-hand experience to describe how masking can lead to suppression of your own needs and emotions, with the risk of burnout.

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The history of masking

It has taken decades for academics and professionals to listen to autistic experiences, resulting in some behavioural therapies designed to encourage people to mask more.

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Misconceptions around masking

Does it exist? Do only girls mask? We dispel some of the myths around masking and explain why it’s so important to get it right.

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How do I know my child is masking?

Signs to spot in your own child can include different behaviours in and outside school, and exhaustion. Find out more in this video.

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How teachers can spot masking

It’s not always easy in mainstream schools, but there are tell-tale signs. School principal Tracey Train explains what they are.

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Masking Q&As and Resources

Click here to watch our guests answer parents’ questions about masking, and to see a list of helpful resources.

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About our guests

Find out more about each of our guests in the Behind the Mask campaign.

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Gallery

£30
could pay for venue hire for our Autism Hubs and Toddler Groups to support families across the region.

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