Females and Autism Masking
For Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and Women’s History Month, let’s discuss masking in female autism. Autism is a developmental disability that shows up in men and women differently. So let’s take a look at gender, autism, and why masking happens. We’ll also cover the signs of autistic masking, the effects it can have on mental health, and how to support “unmasking” in your teen or adult child. Unmasking is a crucial part of the neurodiversity movement, which celebrates the natural variability of brain development and perceptions borne from neurological diversity.
What is Masking?
Masking, or “camouflaging”, in social situations is one of the main features of female autism, especially in those who have higher cognitive abilities. Masking means hiding social difficulties which are often present in autism. Women and girls hide their autistic traits through several methods, including:
- Practicing and scripting conversations before having them
- Forcing eye contact despite being uncomfortable
- Suppressing stims
- Mirroring facial expressions in others that do not come naturally
It’s important to be aware of masking behaviors, so you can identify them in your children. It can be so hard to see autism in women and girls, because it doesn’t show up in many of the ways we expect it to. They may never avoid eye contact, stim, or info dump about their special interest, unless they feel safe to do so (which is often never). There are huge implications for masking and mental health issues. Later in the article, we’ll discuss negative mental health outcomes from masking, and what we can do to help.
Why are Autistic Women and Girls More Likely to Mask?
Gendered expectations for women and girls are more strict than in men and boys. Sexism creates stereotypes and standards for feminine behavior, which can increase the drive to mask in autistic individuals. The old adage “boys will be boys” leaves room in the cultural imagination for a wider variety of behaviors in males. Feminine-presenting individuals have less space to behave outside of cultural norms, and with gender identity emerging between 4 and 6 years old, there may be a long history of masking by the time a girl reaches her teenage years. Masking can delay or prevent diagnosis because it makes it more difficult for professionals to identify. Even if your child does have a diagnosis, they may still be attempting to camouflage their differences in an effort to fit in with their peers, and appear typical. Below, we’ll discuss the negative mental health outcomes associated with masking.
How Does Masking Affect Mental Health?
We know what masking is and why women and girls are more susceptible to it, but why does it matter? Strikingly, research shows an increase in
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Thoughts of suicide
- Struggling with daily life tasks
Hiding who you are and spending so much of your time doing it can take a huge toll on your health. Knowing the signs of masking can help you identify it in your child, but what else can you do to support them?
How Can You Help?
The Autism Society of Minnesota made this great toolkit to help loved ones of autistic people support unmasking. Some of their tips include:
- Be present without judgment
- Honor the process
- Remove pressure to mask
- Offer accommodations
- Celebrate what makes them shine
The best way to understand masking–and support unmasking–is to change the way you think about autism. Autism is a form of neurodivergence, not merely a medicalized disability. This means that autistic individuals experience the world in unique ways that neurotypical people (people without any form of neurodivergence) can learn from and celebrate.
Instead of looking at autism through a deficit lens, practice using a lens of acceptance and curiosity. As is so often said, “if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” Get to know your child or loved one through their worldview, and you will help them on their journey of unmasking.
