Autism and Masking

Description

Autism and Masking

Autistic masking is often described as a strategy employed by Autistic people to “fit in”. But this definition begs the question “why can’t we fit in as we are?”. If we mask to fit in then that means that we are not allowed in as we are.

This course explores why we as Autistic children and adults mask our true identity, the effects that has on our mental health, and our relationship with ourselves and others. We also look at how we can encourage Autistic children and adults to live more authentically.

Along the way Kieran and Evaleen provide insight on after school meltdowns, tummy aches, and exhaustion, Autistic kids acting differently in school, and school not believing what parents see. They also help parents and educators understand early signs of distress. how to know when a pupil is under pressure in school but masking it.

This is also an opportunity for therapists to learn more about Autistic clients and how to support them to be their authentic selves from one of the world’s leading experts.

And for Autistics, many of whom will know Kieran’s work, this is an opportunity to learn more about masking, what it means and how we can start to live authentically.

AUsome Training founder Evaleen begain creating “social skills” programs and books for children over a decade ago. Initially assuming these were similar to other social skills courses, she soon realised they were not! While Evaleen actively encouraged children to explore their authentic Autistic selves, many resources do the opposite, training them to mask, even ‘dog training’ them to mimic two dimensional parodies of ‘normal’ social skills.

Evaleen is joined by Kieran Rose, internationally recognised as a leading authority on many aspects of Autistic life, notably relating to history, Autistic masking and Autistic burnout. Widely in demand internationally as a speaker and educator, his writing on Autistic masking has helped transform our understanding. His paper A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking brought this thinking into the academic space. More recently Kieran released the groundbreaking book Autistic Masking: Understanding Identity Management and the Role of Stigma co-authored with Dr Amy Pearson. Kieran has, quite literally, written the book on masking, and transformed the lives of Autistic people everywhere.