If a ‘normal’ doesn’t exist, what am I socially masking? by Jane McNeice
I am Autistic and I socially mask. I do not choose it, I do it to survive, and in my blog ‘Why I am unable to stop socially masking’ I explain my reasons why. Yes, I hear you, we ALL socially mask – a work mask, a social mask, amongst others. I am not referring to neurotypical social masking, I am referring here to Autistic social masking, it is AMPLIFIED, and it is curated to a level of detail most won’t even comprehend. On the back of my late diagnosis at age 45, I totally recognise my...
Read MoreWhy I am unable to stop social masking
When people encourage me to be myself, not to socially mask, or as one Autistic said to me after my diagnosis at age 45 “Just don’t mask!” they make it totally about me, and totally my responsibility, but it’s not just about me, and it never was. I have socially masked for 47 years, and I started masking at the age of 4. What is social masking? Social masking is mimicking neurotypical behaviour to fit in, or to hide in plain sight, camouflaging. Some Autistics will become very adept at it, to...
Read MoreCould You Be Autistic? by Jane McNeice
The very fact that you are ‘considering’ you may be autistic means you’ve worked a lot of it out already. That is a big step, huge in fact! So maybe my words will only solidify what you already know. Tips can be tricky, why? Because all Autistics are individually very different, but nevertheless we share a lot of common traits. Firstly, for a diagnosis of Autism, we all must meet criteria relating to the Triad of Impairment: a clinically diagnosable degree of difficulty in social...
Read MoreLondon Marathon 2022: What will it take?
One month today till London Marathon 2022! Marathon runners aren’t made in one day, they are made through months and months of dedication and sacrifice. Whether I finish the 26.2 miles on 2nd October will come down to two things, whether I’ve physically trained enough, and whether I am mentally strong enough. And so the battle begins, with my body and my brain: Water infections because the training makes me ‘run down’ (no pun intended) Lost, loose, and bruised toe nails Blisters on toe ends A...
Read MoreThe Umbrella Picker
This is the 7 year old girl who felt lost, lonely, ugly, and unlovable. She doesn’t yet know she will wait another 38 years to find the reason for those feelings… At the age of 45 she will find the answer to her ‘Why?’ She will learn that she is different, but not wrong. She will learn that she experiences the world in a different way, through a different brain type, and has different needs which must be met if she is to stay well. Needs that won’t be met up until that point. She will...
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