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Cited by 321Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchDisability Rights and RepresentationInclusion and Disability in Education and Sport

‘Masking is life’: experiences of masking in autistic and nonautistic adults

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Miller, Danielle, Rees, Jon, Pearson, Amy·2021·Autism in Adulthood
DOI 10.1089/aut.2020.0083PMC PMC8992921

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Abstract

Background: Autistic masking is an emerging research area, and so far, research has suggested that masking has a negative effect on autistic people. Masking relates to general social practices (such as identity management) and is often driven by stigma avoidance. Many nonautistic people also experience stigma that might drive them to suppress aspects of their identity. In this study, we investigate similarities and differences in experiences of masking in autistic and nonautistic people. Methods: = 45) recruited via social media. We used thematic analysis to analyze responses to open-ended items about masking, using an inductive approach, at a semantic level, with a critical realist paradigm. Results: Thematic analysis revealed that some aspects of masking are shared across autistic and nonautistic people, such as utilizing mimicry of others as a social strategy or feeling exhausted from masking. All groups reported that masking made them feel disconnected from their true sense of identity and had a negative effect on them. Other aspects of masking seemed more specific to autistic people, such as sensory suppression, and masking leading to suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that many aspects of masking are experienced across different neurotypes and are likely related to outside perceptions of difference and stigma. It is likely that what we call "autistic masking" is similar to other forms of stigma management previously theorized. Some aspects of masking do seem more specific to the autistic neurotype (e.g., suppression of stimming) and should be explored further to provide support for autistic people recovering from the negative impact of masking. Lay summary: ADHD as these things might affect their experiences.

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  • Cumulative past experiences evoking feelings of threat and shame incentivise masking behaviour, which is increasingly recognised as a driver of poor mental health in neurodivergent people.

    “Cumulative past experiences evoking feelings of threat and shame incentivise masking behaviour (e.g., suppressing stimming, forcing eye contact, copying others’ behaviours) which is increasingly recognised as a driver of poor mental health in neurodivergent people (Miller et al., 2021).”

    From Compassionate pedagogy for neurodiversity in higher education: A conceptual analysis (2023) · cites this paper as Miller et al., 2021

    The Results (‘External Influences’) describe learning to mimic others to avoid harassment, and the Discussion identifies self-protection and fear of repercussions as motives for masking. The Results (‘Neurotype Nuances’) document suppressing stimming; the Methods give forcing eye contact as an example. The Discussion links masking to mental-health difficulties, but does not establish it as a causal driver across neurodivergent people or specifically identify cumulative experiences of threat and shame as the motive. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Working from home may reduce the need for 'masking', i.e. the suppression of neuro-divergent traits and behaviours that may serve as a form of impression management.

    “Working from home (WFH) may also reduce the need for 'masking', i.e. the suppression of neuro-divergent traits and behaviours that may serve as a form of impression management [16] and can be exhausting and stressful [17].”

    From Homeworking experiences of neuro-divergent workers: systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [17]

  • Neuro-divergent people feel pressure to 'mask' neuro-divergent traits and behaviours in the workplace, which can be exhausting.

    “Previous research suggests neuro-divergent people feel pressure to 'mask' neuro-divergent traits and behaviours in the workplace, which can be exhausting [17].”

    From Homeworking experiences of neuro-divergent workers: systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [17]

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Research works printed but not linked: 9

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Authors
Miller, D., Rees, J., & Pearson, A.
Affiliations
University of Sunderland (GB)
Corresponding author
Pearson, Amy
ORCID
Venue
Autism in Adulthood
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2021-12-01
Volume
3
Issue
4
Pages
330-338
ISSN
  • 2573-9581 (ISSN-L)
  • 2573-959X
DOI
10.1089/aut.2020.0083
PMC
PMC8992921
OpenAlex
W3162613655
Semantic Scholar
c199b3633b8dca595fb91b60bc84f77978b99a14
Cited by
321
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 94 · 2025: 87 · 2024: 71 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 2
FWCI
18.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Autism in Adulthood (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Sunderland Repository (University of Sunderland) (acceptedVersion)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion)
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Rights and Representation
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, stigma management, identity management, mimicry, sensory suppression, stimming, suicidal ideation, neurodiversity, stigma avoidance, autistic adults

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