Hello everyone I’m here again to share another little doodle, this time on masking 🎭. So what actually is masking? Masking involves trying to hide being autistic so others will accept us. It’s also referred to as camouflaging. This means we act in ways that other people will think we are ‘normal’ and to try and be accepted socially. My doodle includes a few examples of trying to mask.
Over the course of my life I feel I have perfected the art of masking (which isn’t necessarily a good thing). I am extremely good at with-holding my feelings and emotions, bottling them up until I get home. I would cry when I had to go to primary school each morning. Then speed forward a bit in time and I’d come home from secondary school each day very tearful. I even used to cry up in the SENCOs (special needs support) room at break and lunch times because secondary school is quite literally THE most overwhelming place I have ever had to cope in 👀. But slowly through sixth form and university I began to build up a resilience to the world and although I still get overwhelmed I can always come home, have a bit of a sensory meltdown (and a good cry) then move on with things.
Socialising will always be hard for me and I think I will always cope with the world like this. But that’s okay. I have to actively remind myself that ‘normal’ isn’t real. And I think you should too. Masking is an autistic and sensory way of coping with the everyday and just trying to get by. Now that is brave. To go out in the world and just exist is a huge thing. Do you have any tips related to masking? Feel free to share below ☺️
Masking takes a lot out of us. I’ve just written a post on meltdowns and shutdowns, and I feel that ties in with what happens when we’ve masked for too long and need time to just be ourselves. If you’re interested you can read my post and let me know what you think. https://www.autisticvoice.co.za/autistic-meltdowns-and-shutdowns/
P.S. Love the doodle!
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Hi Angie – thanks so much for your comment and linking me to your post on meltdown and shutdowns, I found it a really interesting and informative read and I’ve followed you so I can read your future posts! 🙂 I agree it definitely ties in with what happens as a result of masking for too long.
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Thanks for reading and following. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. 🙂
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Masking is an important part of my life. I’m 64 years old, and I have Sensory Processing Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder. When my little parts come out, they want to play…but this isn’t always appropriate. So I use masking by having an inside playroom in my mind where the little ones can play while I’m working or being a mother, or just hanging around other adults who don’t understand my way of being.
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A great doodle Em! Thanks for sharing it! xo
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Aww thanks – so glad you like it!
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