Wise Workshop: Understanding Masking

About the event

Does your child seem to hold it together at school, only to come home exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained?

Masking is a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or unconsciously, to appear non-autistic in order to blend in and be more accepted by others. It can involve hiding autistic traits, copying the behaviour of peers, suppressing stimming, rehearsing social interactions, or constantly monitoring how they appear to others.

This informative and neurodiversity-affirming workshop explores what masking is, why people mask, and the impact it can have on everyday life. We will examine both the benefits and risks of masking and explore practical ways to support children, young people to feel safe enough to occasionally lower the mask and be their authentic selves.

We will explore:
What masking is and the different ways it can present.
Why autistic people may mask in different environments.
The difference between masking, camouflaging, compensatory strategies, and passing.
When masking can be a helpful strategy and when it may become harmful.