Camouflaging: Why Neurodivergents Mask, Compensate and Assimilate

Aniesa explores the reasons behind camouflaging, which has three categories: compensation, masking and assimilation. Aniesa talks about what these can look like, why so many neurodivergent people feel the need to camouflage and talks about how we can demystify and educate everyone on camouflaging.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Masking is essentially changing your personality and natural way of being to fit in, to be perceived as neurotypical.
• Camouflaging in the natural world is an evolutionary trait that has developed to help creatures protect themselves which is why it lends itself so well as a descriptor of neurodivergent masking.
• Neurodivergents are trying to camouflage themselves alongside neurotypicals, to go undetected, seen as ‘normal’ and appropriate.
• Camouflaging can be a way to avoid feeling the shame often attached to neurodiversity.
• There are consequences for camouflaging, from burnout to feeling anxious.
• Those who are neurodivergent learn that they get a negative reaction from being themselves. Many feel like if they don’t mask they will be excluded and isolated.
• Assimilation is masking on a higher level, you create untrue versions of yourself, usually multiple ones depending on who you are with.

BEST MOMENTS

"We’re really talking about changing our natural personalities so that we can fit”

“I like the idea of camouflaging as a word as it’s a really strong tactic”

“The consequences of camouflaging are huge, they are so detrimental”

“When you’re compensating you’re trying to keep up with others socially but when your masking you’re hiding key aspects of yourself, just so you can fit in”

“We all mask every single day”

CONTACT METHOD

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ABOUT THE HOST

Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.

Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

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