Autistic Masking, Shame and Identity
In this insightful article for Counselling Directory. For some autistic people, masking goes far beyond adjusting behaviour to fit a social situation. Over time, the performance can become a form of psychological scaffolding — protecting a person from shame while gradually shaping their sense of who they are. Elaine Nicholson explores what masking costs, what it may be protecting, and why compassion matters when helping someone discover the person underneath.
