Advances in Autism
Hidden in plain sight: a qualitative exploration of the influence of masking on autistic women’s mental health
Purpose Masking, the suppression of autistic traits to meet neurotypical expectations, is widely reported among autistic women and linked to adverse mental health outcomes. However, less is known about how masking relates to identity development and internal experience. This study aims to examine the question: what internal “voices,” defined as distinct narrative positions, are present in autistic women’s experiences of masking, unmasking and advocacy? Design/methodology/approach In-depth interviews with eight auti …