Trust your instincts – that’s what our guests tell parents in this video. You know when your child is not OK, even if their school has not picked up on the signs. 

All children are different, but if they change character when they go from school to home, or go into meltdown, or appear exhausted, it might be a sign that they are masking in public.

Sometimes there are smaller clues. They may use self-regulating strategies to decompress when they get home, or show their distress in subtle ways at school.

Parents should give them acceptance and a safe space at home, and advocate for them at school. But that can be difficult, and it’s up to education professionals too to understand and be alert to the signs of masking and distress.

Find out more from our Behind the Mask campaign

Do you need more help and advice? 

Our family development service provides support for autistic people and their families pre, during and post diagnosis. The team is committed to providing the right support, at the right time and in the right way to ensure the best outcomes.

The team can offer different levels of support including:

• Being a listening ear for families seeking information, advice and guidance
• Refer you to appropriate services (if applicable)
• Attend 'team around the family' meetings and compile reports (for families we are supporting)
• Conduct home visits (for families living in Newcastle, North Tyneside and South Tyneside)

The team also offer a wide range of free services for families including:

• Toddler Groups
• Family Workshops
• Virtual workshops
• Support Hubs
• Family Resources
• Family Networking

Visit our Family Resources website