Your child comes home from school a mess-non-responsive, unconsolable, completely wrecked. You talk to the school but they tell you that your child behaved perfectly all day! The problem may be masking. Masking his mixed thoughts. While some autistic individuals view it as essential for their survival, others view it as something to be completely avoided. When masking starts causing problems, what can you do?



What You can Do

Talk to your child about their masking-where they do it, when they do it, why they do it, if they want to change it. Knowledge is power. Help your child understand the possible effects of masking and why it may make them feel the way they do. Depending on the locations that they mask, you may be able to shorten the durations that they are in those locations to limit the need for high energy masking, or you may be able to plan better by bringing along supports. You may also be able to plan for recovery time after a particularly strenuous social activity. If you think it would be safe and beneficial, try to encourage your child to be more themselves in public and to not force unnecessary actions that drain them beyond recovery. You may in advance decide to write out which social actions are important for safety and respect, but which other ones can be overlooked for your child's comfortability and longevity. It is also important to inform teachers or fellow parents why your child may act differently so that they can be prepared and ready to support!