After learning about what autistic masking is, you might be wondering: why do autistic people mask their autistic traits? Especially when you know there are long term consequences of masking that can ultimately affect their mental health in negative ways.
Well, first of all, I think it's important to remember that autistic masking can be done both consciously and unconsciously.
So sometimes they might not be aware that they are masking.
And, other times, they know they are doing it on purpose and are aware that they are actively masking.
Regardless of whether it's conscious or unconscious, there are lots of reasons why autistic people might mask their autistic traits. Sometimes for safety. Sometimes for fitting in. And sometimes for something else entirely. Below, we'll take a closer look at these reasons.
Reasons Why Autistic People Might Mask their Autistic Traits
Please keep in mind that every person and every situation will be unique. So, obviously, there are a wide variety of reasons why masking might occur. As such, it's impossible to touch on every single reason why an autistic person engages in masking behaviors on the list below.
However, here are some of the most common reasons why autistic people might mask:
- As a coping strategy
- To fit in and blend in with others
- As a way to bond with others
- To feel a sense of belonging
- To avoid standing out or being seen as different
- To appear more likeable
- To make friends
- To appear more attractive to a potential romantic partner
- To reduce social awkwardness
- To make a better impression
- To get people to take you and your ideas more seriously
- To better communicate ideas
- To improve job or school success
- To improve relationships with coworkers, colleagues, or classmates
- For personal safety reasons
- To avoid stigma, discrimination, bullying, harassment, mistreatment, or similar
- To avoid being outed as autistic and/or disabled
- To avoid negative responses or judgment
- For self-preservation
- To minimize, hide, or suppress struggles, challenges, and weaknesses
- Out of habit as learned response, especially after years of therapy that has taught them to do so
Summary of Masking in Autism & the Reasons Why Autistic People Mask
Okay, time for a quick recap of the reasons behind masking in autism...
- Masking in autism might be conscious or unconscious and the person might not necessarily be aware that they are masking
- The reasons for masking can vary from situation to situation, as well as from person to person
- The most common reasons for masking include: using it as a coping strategy, to fit in, to make friends, to make a better impression, for job or school success, for personal safety, and out of habit
So, that's a wrap on some of the most common reasons why autistic people might mask their autistic traits. Hopefully this information will give you a better understanding of why your autistic child (or yourself!) might be masking.
