Girls Masking: Understanding What It Is and Why It Matters
In recent years, the concept of masking has gained attention, particularly in conversations about autism and mental health. While masking can affect anyone, it often looks very different and can be much more common in girls and young women. Understanding girls masking is crucial for parents, educators, and mental health professionals because it helps explain why many girls with autism or other neurodivergent conditions are overlooked, misunderstood, or diagnosed late. What Is Masking? Masking is when a person consciously or unconsciously hides their natural behaviors, feelings, or traits in order to fit in, avoid judgment, or protect themselves from stigma and exclusion. For neurodivergent girls, masking often means: Copying social behaviours of peers Suppressing stimming (repetitive movements) Hiding sensory sensitivities Mimicking facial expressions or tone of voice Pretending to understand social cues even when confused Masking is exhausting. It takes consta...