To hide autistic traits, some people with autism engage in masking. While this practice may open doors and enable smoother social interactions, it can also lead to exhaustion and burnout, especially in the workplace. Find out why this happens and what can be done to avoid it.
When we talk about “masking” autism, we’re referring to the act of hiding autistic traits in order to fit in or reduce stigma. Some people with autism may be aware that they’re masking, while others may do it unconsciously. Either way, it can be seen as a form of suppression, since the person masking has to conceal their natural speech, reactions, physical movements, or stims.
Although autistic masking may help someone to navigate social situations or access opportunities that might otherwise be denied to them, over time, it can start to take a serious toll. The constant effort of monitoring and adjusting behaviour can be mentally and physically exhausting, sometimes leading to burnout, anxiety, depression, and a loss of identity as the line between a person’s true self and the masked persona becomes more and more blurred.
For someone who doesn’t have autism, the idea of masking might not seem that unusual. After all, it’s not uncommon for people to switch up their behaviour depending on their environment or who they’re around. However, it’s proven that autistic masking is a unique experience, and isn’t the same as typical code-switching.
People with autism tend to mask because their autistic traits are a barrier in everyday life. They might mask as a result of:
It’s not uncommon for people with autism to mask from an early age. This can happen because children learn that masking leads to positive consequences. For example, a child might learn that masking helps them to fit in better at school or avoid punishment. When this happens, masking can become a lifelong habit.
Masking is believed to be relatively common, yet the exact number of people who engage in masking is difficult to measure. Some people who mask may not recognise when they’re masking, while others who do may prefer to keep their experiences private or feel discouraged by family members who don’t believe they could be autistic.
While we don’t know for sure how many people mask, we do know it’s widely reported across the autistic community and may be far more common than most realise.
Although masking is considered a shared experience for many individuals with autism, the way it presents isn’t always the same for everyone.
Masking in children: In children, masking is more likely to lead to exhaustion-induced meltdowns after spending the whole day masking at school. At a young age, children may not fully understand what they’re doing when they mask; they simply learn that certain behaviours earn acceptance while others don’t.
Masking in women: It’s suggested that women tend to mask more intensely and consistently than men. For example, women have been shown to mould their special interests so that they fit in with societal expectations and closely mimic other women’s actions and body language. This is why many women with autism are more likely to be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Masking in men: Men can share many of the same masking techniques as women, yet may find themselves trying to conform to masculine stereotypes, adopting what they assume to be “male-appropriate” interests, or shifting their voice to sound less monotone.
Masking in older adults: Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that around nine in ten middle-aged and older adults in the UK could have undiagnosed autism. Although this gap in diagnosis for older adults may be down to generational differences in awareness and access to assessment, it may also reflect a lifetime spent learning to successfully mask autistic traits.
Research shows that workplaces can be especially tough for employees with autism. In order to conform and achieve success, autistic employees often feel pressure to alter their behaviour and hide sensory discomfort. They may also hold back from requesting adjustments, fearful that they may be seen as different or incapable. This can leave many autistic employees in a heightened state of vigilance, even if they appear calm and sociable on the surface.
So, how can you tell if someone’s masking? The truth is, it’s not always visible, and you should avoid making snap judgments. Still, there are some understated clues that a person might be suppressing their natural tendencies. They might:
These signs don’t automatically mean someone is autistic or masking. But they can help employers to recognise when someone might need more support or flexibility.
If you’re an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure that autistic staff don’t feel pressured to mask at work and know that they’re fully supported. This means:
When your employees feel safe enough to take their masks off, they can redirect their energy towards meaningful work and contribute fully.
Not always. Masking may help someone navigate unfamiliar situations more effectively. The issue is when masking becomes constant and exhausting.
It depends on the employer. If an employer is neurodivergent themselves or has a strong understanding of autism and associated traits, they may pick up on signs. But they can’t know for sure.
Yes, it can be. Masking takes up an awful lot of energy. After masking, a person should take time to properly recover in order to avoid total exhaustion.
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