Autism and Masking: How and Why People Do It, and the Impact It Can Have

Autistic people often feel they have to present as neurotypical or perform neurotypical social behaviours in order to fit in. So-called 'masking' is a social survival strategy used by autistic people in situations where neurodiversity is not understood or welcomed. While this is a commonly observed phenomenon in the autistic community, the complexities of masking are still not widely understood.

This book combines the latest research with personal case studies detailing autistic experiences of masking. It explains what masking is and the various strategies used to mask in social situations. The research also delves into the psychology behind masking and the specifics of masking at school, at social events with peers, and at work. The book looks at the consequences of masking, including the toll it can have on mental and physical health, and suggests guidance for family, professionals, and employers to ameliorate negative effects.

With a diverse range of voices, including perspectives across gender, ethnicity and age, this is the comprehensive guide to masking and how to support autistic people who mask.

Felicity Sedgewick is a developmental and social psychologist, and lectures on Psychology of Education at the University of Bristol. Her research focusses on the social lives and mental health of autistic people of all genders, through a variety of research methods. Her work is participatory and aims to reflect the priorities of the autistic community, and making sure that it has impact in the real-world is one of her key priorities.
Laura Hull is a post-doctoral researcher at University College London. Her research focuses on masking and camouflaging in autism, with a specific focus on how these impact diagnosis and mental health outcomes for autistic young people and adults. She is passionate about high-quality, participatory research which has meaningful outcomes for the autism community.
Helen Ellis is an autistic adult who was diagnosed in her early 20s and has spent the past decade participating in various research studies and giving talks about being autistic. Her main areas of interest are employment, masking and burnout, wellbeing, and special interests.