Masking & Unmasking
Reflection
This reflection guide, from All Things Private Practice and Patrick Casale, is designed to help you understand what masking and camouflaging are, why we do them, and the high cost of this survival strategy.
Masking & UnmaskingĀ ReflectionĀ
PATRICK CASALE, LCMHC AUDHD TEDX SPEAKER
This reflection guide, from All Things Private Practice and Patrick Casale, is designed to help you understand what masking and camouflaging are, why we do them, and the high cost of this survival strategy. It provides prompts to help you reflect on your own experiences and explore small, safe steps toward showing up more authentically.
Inside, youāll get:
- Masking is a survival mechanism where neurodivergent people hide their natural behaviors to fit in.
- Examples include forcing eye contact, rehearsing conversations, and suppressing stimming.
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The primary reasons for masking areĀ safety, belonging, and opportunity.
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Masking comes at a high cost, leading toĀ chronic exhaustion, burnout, and a loss of identity.
- Reflection prompts in the guide encourage you to notice when and where you mask.
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You are encouraged to takeĀ small, safe steps toward unmasking, or "micro-unmasking".
