Unveiled-What in the Hot H#$* are Autism Masking Symptoms ?

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What are Autism Masking Symptoms?

What are autism masking symptoms and why do people use it?

Masking refers to  behaviors that people use to hide their true feelings. 

It’s important for parents to understand how masking affects children with autism so they can better support their child.

Masks Are Used To Hide Emotions

Children with autism often use masks to hide emotions. 

They might act happy one minute and sad the next. 

This behavior is autism masking.
Masking is common among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). 

The term comes from the idea that people with ASDs wear masks to hide their true feelings. 

Some parents believe that masking is a sign of low self-esteem. 

Others think that masking is a coping mechanism used to deal with anxiety. 

Still others say that masking is a way to avoid conflict. 

Whatever the reason, masking is a very real problem for many kids with ASDs.

Masks Help People Focus Their Attention

Children with autism often struggle with focusing attention. 

This makes it difficult for them to complete tasks such as reading books or playing games. 

However, masks can help these children focus their attention by helping them overcome their fears of being different.

You can help your child learn how to communicate with others.
There are several things parents can do to help their autistic child develop better social skills.

First, parents should encourage their child to interact with people who are different than themselves.

This helps them understand what makes others tick. 

Second, parents should model appropriate social behavior for their child.

Third, parents should teach their child how to read facial expressions and body language.

Finally, parents should provide opportunities for their child to practice these new skills.
Autism is a complex disorder that affects brain development. 

Help with Social Skills

 

Children with autism often struggle with social interactions and communication.

However, there are many ways to help children with autism improve their social skills.

For example, parents can encourage their child to interact socially with other kids.

Parents can also model appropriate social behaviors for their child.

In addition, parents can teach their child how to interpret facial expressions and body language, which can be difficult for children with autism.

Finally, parents can provide opportunities for their child with autism to practice these new skills, such as playing games with friends at school.

 

what is autism masking

Masks Can Be Used To Protect Against Sensory Overload

Answering the question, what areautism masking symptoms gives parents ideas about how to help their children.

Masking can be used as a form of sensory protection. 

This means that it can be used to protect against sensory overload. 

People who suffer from autism often struggle with sensory overload.

Males and females with autism use masking, but primarily females.

The following list shows a lot of the ways masking shows up:

  • Covering up stimming behaviors
  • Using scripted conversations
  • Ignoring how much sensory overload is causing them stress
  • imitating conversations and using gestures that other people are using
  • Responding to people with learned responses detached from true feelings 
  • matching the facial expressions of other people who are talking
  • Masking provides many benefits to people with autism:
  • Having a sense of fitting in to a group or conversation
  • Fear of not connecting or having friends
  • Feeling like they fit in at work or in a group
  • Feeling safe and accepted
 Masking can have detrimental effects on people.
Long term suppression of true feelings and emotions, causes many problems for autistic people.
Exhaustion and Burnout
Feelings of sadness and depression
Autistic Burnout
Feeling unable to connect with others

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About Brewgirl

Hey there!  I'm Betsy.  Mom, RN, special education teacher and blogger at The Autism Daily Brew.  Working hard to bring you the best resources in autism.
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