Masking & Veneer of CopingΒ
What is it? & What to do?
Masking and Autism Explained in this Episode!
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Discussed in this Episode:
β Why I call masking, βa veneer of coping,β and what to do!
β What is Masking?
β What you see.
β What you can do.
β Why it can cause burn out for families and their autistic child.
β Masking versus Copying.
β Do your children/students struggle with after-school meltdowns/shutdowns?
β Do they hold it together at school but when they get home they fall apart?
Masking and Autism Explained for you Today!
What is Masking?
Masking is when a person on the autism spectrum mimics and uses social scripts learnt from others, in
order to fit in and suppress their autistic tendencies. The goal is often to appear βneurotypicalβ as they want
to fit in.
On the outside the student may appearβ¦
1. Well behaved
2. Hard Working
3. Eager to Please
4. Perfectionism
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But on the inside the student may feelβ¦
1. Anxiety
2. Stomach Aches
3. Excessive Worry
4. Exhaustion
Possible Causes of a Meltdown/Shutdown
– Keeping it together at school/social activities
– Built up pressure of sensory or social experiences
– Burnt out from masking
– Feeling socially excluded – not having a group of friendsΒ
– Bullying
– Overstimulation
– Overload
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What can you do to address masking and Autism?Β
1. Implement breaks throughout the day from social & sensory activitiesΒ
2. Help them find group of friendsΒ
3. Create a clubΒ
4. Build their autistic identityΒ
5. Celebrate Difference and Diversity in your classroom
6. Teach them Emotional Literacy so they can recognise emotions can self regulate throughout the day
Parent/Carers – What can you do?
1. Have snack and drink ready after school
2. Give them quiet time (donβt ask questions or requests)
3. Give them their own time and space to unwind when they get home
4. Consider getting a pet (Listen to podcast why)
Address Masking and Autism Today!
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Girls often mask here are the books I love to Support GirlsΒ
Books For Girls:
Enjoy Masking and Autism Explained? Try these great books to Help with Self Regulation and Prevenative Breaks
Great Books to Help with Self Regulation and Preventative Breaks
Emotional Regulation in Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or other Neurodiverse Disorders β Masterclass.
Helpful Autistic Lived Experiences Facebook Groups and Organisations:
Enjoyed Masking and Autism Explained? Check out my other Podcasts Referred to:
Episode 81: How Embracing Autistic Strengths Changed His Life: An Interview with Chris Bonnello
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