532K views · 27K reactions | Many women diagnosed with ADHD or autism...

249K views · 1.8K reactions | Women are four times more likely to mask their autism compared with men. But why do they do it, and what are the consequences? Karly’s friends didn’t know she had autism, and masking her true self left her feeling mentally exhausted. Emma, an expert from Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) told us there was a name for that feeling. It’s called ‘Autistic burnout’. | ABC News | Facebook

Let’s talk about masking. Masking is when someone copies the behaviours and manners of others, while hiding behaviours that might be seen as ‘different’. For example, an autistic person might hide sensory sensitivities at school to avoid being teased, which can mean they look ‘less autistic’ at school than at home. This can be exhausting for autistic people and can lead to poor mental health outcomes. Creating a non-judgmental space can help autistic people be their authentic selves. | Ambitious