Masking is when someone tries their best to fit in and go unnoticed by others. It can become an automatic, natural way of being, meaning autistic people can sometimes mask without actually knowing it.
Masking can be a stressful experience. It takes a lot of energy to be able to 'fit in', and act in a way that is different to your natural self.
This webinar aims to share my personal journey – including what school was like for me, how masking felt and how I eventually learned to unmask, to live authentically as an autistic person, after facing huge challenges, including an intense period of burnout.
I also hope to share my top tips for anyone who supports an autistic person who masks. - Andy
Some feedback:
"Andy is so inspiring and energetic. The information and experience he shares is so important, thought provoking and empowering. This session was very personal, but also positive. I want to thank Andy for sharing his very personal journey. I really wish schools could be informed by his personal and refreshing perspective; it should give them pause for thought."
"Bloody Brilliant - As usual Andy shared complex information in a way that is easy to understand - love the notion moving away from 'necessary behavioural autistic strategies' to relational and physiological ones"
"Excellent. I thought that since you would be describing your struggles, there would be a lot of negative stuff in there, but you have such infectious enthusiasm for improving understanding of autistic people (especially younger people) that it was in fact a really positive experience. And your philosophy about what makes a good life should be shown to everyone - parents, professionals, friends, family and most of all, children and young people. Thank you so much."
"Very insightful, informative and powerful. Provided us with a better understanding of masking and how it is used and how it impacts an autistic young person and delivered with such great passion, love these training sessions to build on our knowledge on our quest to being someone who gets it"
