Autistic Masking

Misconceptions Associated with the Concept of Autism Masking

According to a fairly common belief, masking, assimilation, or camouflage in autism spectrum disorder means social accommodation to appear less sick, different, or autistic. This statement is true to some extent, but autistic camouflage has greater significance.

There is also an opinion that the social camouflage of autism is a specific set of strategies that help autistic people orient themselves in different life situations. Again, this is true, but the real nature of the phenomenon is more complex.

What Exactly is Masking in Autism?

Camouflage or masking is a specific action performed by autistic children. This action is a traumatic reaction to social rejection and stigmatization. As a result, a person develops a number of camouflage techniques that create a protective mask.

This is a kind of psychological mechanism necessary to ensure safety. It consists of complex techniques of social, emotional, and physical action. Autistic individuals are forced to use these techniques for self-defense and to create a visible version of themselves that is acceptable to society.

Autistic camouflage is implemented through the use of learned forms of behavior and stereotyped phrases to respond socially and adequately to different life situations. In doing so, a child suppresses their personal self-identity, natural behavior, and response to sensory surroundings.

Forms of Autistic Masking

Autistic masking can have the following forms:

• Shy, calm, and quiet behavior
• Striving to please family members and others
• Attempting to attract maximum attention. Such individuals may be perceived as unruly children or clowns due to their frivolous behavior.

Peculiar autistic mask forms gradually develop during the process of growth. Initially, this behavior may be conscious, but over time, a child uses proven actions and forms of conduct automatically, unplanned, proactively, and spontaneously.

Autistic children have to exert significant physical and emotional effort in the process of masking. This means that children with autism quickly realize they are different from their typically developing peers. From the very beginning, others point out these differences to such children, socially reject them to some extent, and misinterpret the information they wish to share.

The creation of a protective mask is meant to make the child minimally different from others and to lead a socially acceptable lifestyle. Of course, this is very exhausting, and so camouflage is considered a form of self-defense that, in the long run, can harm the child’s personality.

The Impact of Autistic Masking

Autistic masking is not a separate illness or symptom, but an eloquent call to action. With the right interventions and support, your child can become more confident, sociable, and protected!

The treatment of childhood autism spectrum disorder with stem cells is currently one of the most effective approaches. During this procedure, a patient’s own stem cells are injected into the spinal canal to restore and improve the cellular structure of the brain. It is noted that such correction of childhood autism surpasses other methods in terms of effectiveness and expands the horizon of future prospects for a child. Cellular treatment of childhood autism significantly reduces the need for masking or camouflage.

Come to the Mardaleishvili Medical Centre – its doctors know how to treat ASD in combination with accompanying complications and symptoms!