Free to attend. 30 mins CPD Wednesdays at 2:15 pm throughout October 2023.
to get the Zoom link for all of Octobers sessions, sign up here on the resources page and you’ll recieve the Zoom link in your thank you an email. Unsubscribe any time using the link in the footer of any mailing you receive.
This Wednesday we have a profoundly relevant topic to explore—facilitating unmasking in the context of autistic adults. This is an issue that touches many lives, and it's vital for us, as medical professionals, to delve into it. Autistic individuals often engage in a complex process of masking, wherein they adapt to societal norms by concealing their authentic selves. This masking behavior is not merely superficial but is driven by deep-rooted societal stigmatisation surrounding autism. It necessitates a meticulous and constant performance that consumes significant cognitive resources and impedes genuine self-expression.
The consequences of this masking can be profound, including energy drain, bodily aches and pains, anxiety, inability to know one's own limits, little relationship with one's true self, and inability to know when you need support.
It's crucial to recognise that this is something that carries profound human implications so that therapists are on board with autistic people feeling their way through to emerging as their true selves.
The process of unmasking can be profoundly transformative for autistic adults, and it requires a nuanced and empathetic approach from therapists when working with autistic adults. It is a process rather than a behavior, and one that needs a lot of exploration, and safety considerations.
It is essential to emphasise that masking isn't inauthenticity for the sake of it. Autistic individuals engage in masking to navigate a world that often fails to accommodate their unique neurodivergent characteristics, or to hide themselves to avoid threats. This is a coping mechanism born out of necessity, driven by the desire to fit in and avoid social rejection or pain - and to foster survival.
Unmasking is a journey toward self-discovery and self-acceptance, and it requires empathy and guidance. Additionally, it's vital to tailor our therapeutic approaches to the individual's unique needs. What works for one person may not work for another. Also, lets remember about self-compassion, both for ourselves as healthcare providers and for our clients, because unmasking can be a vulnerable process, and self-compassion is a vital tool for navigating its challenges.
With the right approach and support, therapists can help autistic clients embark on a journey of self-discovery and authenticity. Join us on Wednesday at 2:15 pm as we engage in that conversation.
to get the Zoom link for all of Octobers sessions, sign up here on the resources page and you’ll recieve the Zoom link in your thank you an email. Unsubscribe any time using the link in the footer of any mailing you receive.