Neurodiversity

Autism masking is something many neurodivergent people do—often without realizing it. It’s the process of hiding or suppressing traits to fit into a world that isn’t designed for how their brain works. For most of my life, I didn’t know I was masking. This is my personal unmasking journey—how it started with my son, led to my own diagnosis, and continues to shape how I move through the world today. What Is Autism Masking? Autism masking is the process of consciously or uncons

Unmasking for neurodivergent adults is often talked about like a single moment - like something you either do or don’t do. But in reality, unmasking is a process. It’s not about suddenly “taking off a mask” and revealing a fully-formed, authentic self underneath. It’s about awareness , choice , and safety . For many neurodivergent people, masking developed for a reason - to navigate environments that weren’t built with them in mind. So unmasking isn’t about rejecting masking

Autistic masking often doesn’t feel like pretending. It feels like adapting. Surviving. Staying safe. But over time, that adaptation can come at a cost.