Masking refers to the process where individuals with autism try to hide or suppress behaviors that might be perceived as socially inappropriate or atypical. This is especially common in children and adults with autism and can sometimes impact trauma recovery, as constant masking may lead to increased stress and emotional exhaustion.
Masking can have significant effects on a person’s mental health and social well-being. It is important to understand the differences in how masking manifests in children versus adults with autism, as the impact can be quite varied.
What is Masking?
Masking involves consciously or unconsciously adopting behaviors that are not natural to the individual to blend in socially.
For children with autism, this may mean mimicking behaviors that their peers display or avoiding behaviors that might attract negative attention. For adults, masking can be a more complex and exhausting process, as the social expectations and pressures increase with age and responsibilities.
Recognizing how masking affects children and adults differently is crucial for caregivers, educators, and clinicians. It allows for more tailored interventions and better support for individuals struggling with the psychological toll of masking.
Understanding masking can lead to improved outcomes in mental health and social relationships.
How Masking Develops in Children
In childhood, the need for peer acceptance and social interaction is more immediate. As a result, children with autism may try to imitate their peers by mimicking social cues, gestures, and expressions.
Some children may even go as far as to hide or suppress behaviors like stimming (repetitive body movements or sounds), which they might instinctively engage in for comfort.
For children with autism, masking is often a learned behavior, typically encouraged by the social environment around them. Teachers, parents, and even other children may inadvertently reinforce the need to hide true emotions or behaviors that differ from the norm. Over time, this can become a strategy the child continues into adolescence and adulthood.
That said, masking can be emotionally draining for children, leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. The constant pressure to fit in can create a significant internal conflict as the child struggles to balance their true self with the need to meet social expectations.
This can lead to heightened levels of stress, which may manifest in behavioral outbursts, withdrawal, or other signs of distress.
As children grow older, this emotional toll often intensifies. The difference between the self they are hiding and the version of themselves they present to the world can feel more pronounced, leading to a deep sense of disconnect. This is why early intervention and support are crucial to helping children with autism manage the effects of masking in a healthier way.
Masking in Adults with Autism
Masking can continue well into adulthood, and in some cases, it becomes more refined and even more exhausting. The societal demands on adults with autism are higher, which can make masking more complex.
Adults often feel the pressure to hide autism-related behaviors in professional, social, and personal settings, leading to a greater risk of mental health challenges.
Once they reach adulthood, autistic individuals have often developed sophisticated masking strategies. They may have learned to observe and mimic social cues over time, even if those behaviors do not come naturally.
This may involve suppressing autistic traits such as repetitive movements, avoiding topics of interest that might seem unusual, or forcing eye contact in conversations.
For adults, the effects of masking can be particularly damaging to mental health. Constantly pretending to be someone else or suppressing their authentic selves can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and burnout. The emotional toll can also manifest in physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and insomnia.
The longer an adult engages in masking, the more difficult it becomes to “unmask.” This may result in a strong sense of alienation and loss of self-identity. It’s common for adults with autism to feel as though they are playing a role in their own lives rather than living authentically.
This can lead to severe mental health consequences, including identity crises, depression, and a lack of fulfillment in relationships or careers.
Comparing Masking in Children Vs. Adults with Autism
While the core concept of masking remains the same in both children and adults, there are distinct differences in how masking is experienced and expressed.
Masking in children is often driven by socialization needs and a desire to fit in with their peers. Children may mask to avoid being bullied, rejected, or stigmatized.
In adults, masking becomes a coping mechanism to navigate more complex social situations, such as the workplace, relationships, and public settings. Adults mask to meet societal expectations, maintain careers, and manage social relationships, often without the emotional support systems that children have.
The social pressures that children face are often less complex but still significant. They are primarily concerned with fitting in with peers and avoiding negative attention at school.
Meanwhile, adults face greater societal expectations in terms of career success, family life, and maintaining friendships. Masking in adulthood is often driven by the desire to meet these complex demands, which can lead to increased burnout.
Strategies for Supporting Individuals Who Mask
Both children and adults can benefit from interventions aimed at reducing the need for masking. Providing supportive environments, teaching coping strategies, and fostering self-acceptance are key to mitigating the negative impacts of masking.
For children, identifying signs of masking early allows for tailored interventions that focus on improving self-regulation and communication skills without the need to hide behaviors.
Speech therapy, social skills training, and behavioral therapy can also help them develop strategies to manage social interactions without masking their true selves.
That said, parents play a critical role in helping children feel accepted for who they are. Encouraging openness and self-expression is vital to reducing the emotional toll of masking.
Meanwhile, autistic adults can benefit from therapy to address the emotional toll of masking and to work on strategies for self-advocacy and authenticity in social situations.
Employers can make accommodations to help autistic employees feel comfortable in the workplace. Flexibility around sensory needs, breaks, or quiet spaces can make a significant difference in reducing the need to mask.
Final Thoughts
Masking in children and adults with autism has significant emotional and psychological consequences. While the need for masking is often driven by different social pressures at different life stages, both groups experience a sense of disconnection and exhaustion from constantly trying to fit in.
Understanding the differences in how masking manifests in children and adults allows for more effective interventions that support the mental well-being and authentic self-expression of individuals with autism. We at Jade ABA Therapy specialize in high-quality autism services in Maryland.
We have a dedicated team that works closely with families to create personalized plans that address each child’s unique needs and goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one navigate the challenges of autism.
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